Why Forgive?

Because Jesus died on the cross, we are totally forgiven. He paid the price for our sins, so we can enjoy freedom and new life in Him. Without His forgiveness, we would be doomed to eternity in hell. With it we can enjoy intimate communion with Him. Forever.

As I celebrated Easter, I couldn’t help but notice the contrast between our world today and the benefits of Jesus’ gift to us. Unforgiveness abounds.

Name-calling, hatred, and personal destruction by targeted canceling are being used for self or agenda promotion. There seems to be no thought of seeking peace, much less forgiving. Instead it seems that animosity and hatred have spun out of control.

That’s sad, because holding unforgiveness and hatred is toxic. Nelson Mandela said, “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” He could have used “not forgiving” in place of “resentment.” It is poisonous to the one who drinks it.

Forgiving does not let the other person off the hook. Nor does it excuse a wrong or imply that an action was all right. Instead, forgiving someone hands that person over to the Lord for Him to deal with them. It transfers the burden and responsibility of justice from me to God.

The burden of holding a person until they “pay” for what they did—while in reality, they probably can never pay enough—robs the holder of peace and joy, and negatively impacts physical health.

Most importantly, not fully forgiving blocks our relationship with God. Furthermore, Jesus modeled forgiveness, and He told us to forgive.

While He was hanging on the cross, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Lk. 23:34). We are also told in 1 John that, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 Jn. 1:9).

If we follow Jesus and He has forgiven our sins, won’t we also follow His example and forgive others?

Peter struggled with this forgiveness thing. He asked Jesus, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” and Jesus answered, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (Matt. 18:21-22). That’s serious forgiving.

(For the rest of the conversation, continue reading in Matthew18:23-35.)

Matthew 5:23-26 shows that strained earthly relationships damage our relationship with God. Jesus said, “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

The verses that follow the Lord’s Prayer reinforce the message that we are to forgive. Jesus continued, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Matt. 6:14-15).

It’s hard to misinterpret that. If we want God to forgive us, we need to forgive those who offend us.

We like the quote from Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” That verse makes us feel good when we put in our offering.

But, it isn’t just talking about giving money or even giving food to the poor. In context, Jesus is talking about forgiving. These words of receiving an abundance according to what you give follows immediately after words on judging, condemning, and forgiving. Jesus said, “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Lk. 6:37-38).

I think it’s safe to say that we’ve all been wounded. We’ve all chosen to forgive. We’ve forgiven many people. Many times. Even some people many times—in spite of the fact that our sinful nature tempts us to hold grudges rather than forgive.. Our present culture reinforces the idea that we have a right to be resentful and to fight back.

However, the fact remains, if we want to experience righteousness, peace, and joy in Christ, we must choose to follow His example and forgive.

But, sometimes the wounds are deep and forgiveness is hard. At times, in spite of our efforts, forgiveness doesn’t seem to stick and the pain hangs around, returns, or bitterness creeps in.

If that’s where you are, consider the passages above and the importance of obeying what God asks of us. When you feel the weight lifted from your soul, you’ll be glad you did.

Tell the Lord you’re willing to forgive.

Ask for His help.

If needed tell Him you choose to forgive, speak words of forgiveness, and ask Him to make it real in your heart.

Also, check back. I’ll follow up with more on how to forgive.

Meanwhile, may the Lord bless you and give you faith, courage, and strength to obey as you seek to walk out your faith by forgiving those who trespass against you..

Snares for Today’s Christians

I’ve recently been increasingly aware of the difficulty of walking in righteousness–in healthy OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA relationships with God and with each other. It seems the world is fighting to destroy Christianity with carefully aimed attacks against faith and obedience to God. However, our greatest danger might actually be hidden traps that could ensnare us.

The attack against morality has become so loud and visible that the Supreme Court ruling was no surprise. The rise in hostility, anger, and hatred across the land is also blatant. Likewise, dangers of killings by terrorist or deranged people are quite obvious.

Most of us aren’t tempted to join these actions, but we can easily be drawn into unrighteousness because of them. For instance, when we’re pushed, the natural reaction is to push back. If someone speaks in judgment and anger, it’s natural to respond in kind—in thought if not in words.

That’s the danger. No matter what the nature of the assault—and I believe we’re under assault—our nature is to respond in a similar spirit. It’s natural. We often do it without being aware of it.

In other words, we respond in the flesh.

When we feel threatened—from terrorists, the quiet person that suddenly goes berserk, activists that want to change society’s norms, financial instability . . . When we feel threatened, our natural response is fear.

However, Deuteronomy 6:13 says to “fear only the Lord your God.” In the Bible, we are told repeatedly that we have nothing to fear because God will protect us. When fear because of threats to our well-being holds us in bondage, we’ve been drawn into unrighteousness.

We’re denying God’s desire and ability to be our protector. The position of faith is to fear only the Lord. Furthermore, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Ps 111:10). If we are no longer walking in faith, i.e. if the fear of attack is greater than our fear of God, we’ve been ensnared.

Another trap is to judge those who are pushing their agenda on us. God is judge (Ps. 50:6). And it is unrighteous to take His place. Furthermore, He tells us that if we judge we will be judged accordingly (Mt. 7:2). When we judge, it escalates conflict–but it is easy to slip into judgment when the Word of God is clear that something is wrong.

To be clear, we are to judge with righteous judgment (John 7:24). We must discern between right and wrong. We are to consider thoughts and actions according to the Word of God to determine whether or not God approves.

But it is not our place to judge other people, their motives, and intentions. It is not our place to declare their future reward. Our judgment prevents God using us to show His love and kindness toward that person.

If our judgment blocks us from hearing and/or obeying God, then it is unrighteous. As we judge them and act negatively toward them, it gives them a wrong impression of God. If we are a stumbling block that keeps them from knowing God, we’ve been drawn into unrighteousness. (More on The Judgment Trap)

These are just examples. There are more, such as pride and unforgiveness. However, next week, I’ll share what God has shown me as I consider these hidden traps that would ensnare us.

Meanwhile, what do you see as snares that would catch us unaware and ensnare us as we strive to walk in righteousness today?

I Need Him Every Day

“He saved [and saves] us not on the basis of deeds which we have done [do] in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5).

Jesus Christ has saved me through His blood. Furthermore, He has clothed me with His righteousness. I am grateful and rejoice in my salvation.

However, I often forget the joy of His salvation. I try to do good on my own–to earn my righteousness. To obey, serve, and please Him–in my own strength.

I need His salvation every day to guard my heart and my mind, to love my neighbor as myself, to lay down my life for my family and friends, even to make time to commune with my God, . . . and to not sneak a cookie–those I baked so Dad would have a treat with his meal.

I need the Lord’s salvation every day. Not just once and it’s finished. I need to be saved from me as well as from the onslaught of the enemy. Every day. Every hour.

I’m grateful that:

“The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions/love/mercies/covenant faithfulness never fail.
They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Thank you, Lord, for your covenant faithfulness. That you are with us always, every day, and that your steadfast love and faithfulness never fails.

Robert & Kay Camenisch encouraging and equipping relationships