Forgiveness

The attitude of a true child of God is the ability to forgive, no matter the extent to which they have been hurt. A true son of God learns not to keep records of wrongs, knowing very well that such an attitude is unscriptural. "Peter asked Jesus, `Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Till seven times?' Jesus said unto him, `I say not unto thee seven times: but until seventy times seven'" (Matt 18: 21-22).

It is a fact of life that when we are deeply hurt, it is not easy to let go. Vengeance becomes the ringing tone in our minds. Maybe, logically, there would not be anything wrong in paying the person back, but for the sake of God, forgiveness must rule our actions: "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, `Vengeance is mine: I will repay', saith the Lord. `Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him, if he thirst, give him drink, for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good'" (Rom 12:19-21).

Our Creator could have decided to punish us severely for every wrong we commit, but for the love He has for us, He forgives us each day. Jesus Christ, when on the earth, forgave us of our sins, and today most of us beat our chests with pride and call ourselves the saved ones. "For God so loves the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life". "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another" (1 John:11). "Be ye angry, and sin not, let not the sun go down upon your wrath, neither give place to the devil" (Eph 4:26-27).

Though it might be natural to want to retaliate, yet in the same way that God forgives us each day, we must also learn to forgive others irrespective of hurt. Perhaps it is very difficult to forget but remembrance should not so provoke us to take a wrongful action. We ought to forgive wrongs that our neighbours commit against us daily. "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if you forgive not men their trespasses your Father will not forgive your sins" (Matt 6:14-15). So please let us all try and learn to forgive one another. When our Lord Jesus Christ comes, let him find us doing what he tells us about forgiveness, to the glory of our Almighty Heavenly Father.

Bro Joseph Kwesi (Ghana)