Text: Matthew 5:38-39, 18:21-35; Ephesians 4:20-32; Philippians 4:8
Key Verse: “…And be ye kind one
to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake
hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
If for every time someone offends
us we retaliate, the world would be in utter chaos by now. Forgiveness, as
difficult as it is to yield to, is a significant virtue that must never leave
our hearts.
Humans have a tendency to do evil
and hence, we err. We step on others’ toes, speak ill of our neighbors, betray
our friends, disappoint our siblings, dishonor our parents, embarrass our
families, and the list goes on. But as Christians, our disposition ought to be different.
Psalms 130:3 says, “If thou, Lord
shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” For a fact, the answer is none.
“For all have sinned and come short the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and “if we
say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1
John 1:8).
However, the Bible records something
wonderful for everyone to rejoice in. Next to John 3:16; and John 1:12, among
other verses, Romans 5:6-8 remains one of my favorites that give me so much joy
whenever I meditate on it:
“For when we were yet without
strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous
man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
“But God commendeth His love
towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
If God Almighty, the Righteous
King of glory could look pass our debasement, filth and faults, and chose to
forgive us all our sins by sending His only begotten Son to redeem us through
His blood (Ephesians 1:7), why can’t we do same to others? It’s difficult,
right? This is the very reason we must forgive because the world’s peaceful
coexistence depends on it.
“Ye have heard that it hath been
said, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” (Matthew 5:38). Ye must also
understand that an eye for an eye leaves everyone blind, and a tooth for a
tooth leaves everyone with toothache and deprives of the full satisfaction of
eating meat.
Hence, our Lord Jesus Christ, himself
being an embodiment of love and forgiveness, commands us to forgive. He says in
Matthew 5:39 that, “But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil: but whosoever
shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
How easy has it been in turning the
other cheek? Turning the other cheek implies bearing and overlooking whatever
wrong others might have done to us. It implies forgetting faults and giving
others the benefit of a new start, a new relationship opportunity.
Moreover, turning the other cheek,
I don’t believe, means you mustn’t get angry when someone hurts you (unless you
have the grace not to). Let’s be honest with ourselves, who wouldn’t be angry?
I get angry and feel bad when someone hurts and insults me but I am careful not
to sin and allow the ill feelings linger in my heart.
Ever since I came to know the
Lord my heart has been weak in harboring grudges. In fact, it detests them that
is why I always do my best by God’s grace not to offend anyone (follow peace
with all men – Hebrews 12:14; Romans 12:18) and wouldn’t do or say anything to
make others be inclined to act badly towards me.
We all should know the place of
forgiveness in our Christian life and how it affects our prayers. “Therefore if
thou bring thy gift (prayers, petition, sacrifice or praise, tithes, offerings,
etc) to the altar, and rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to
thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift” (Matthew 5:23-24).
Whenever our thoughts, feelings and
interactions aren’t right toward others, we are hindered from boldly
approaching the throne of grace to obtain mercy and finding grace to help in
time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
God is as much concerned about
our relationship with one another as He is our relationship with Him.
This is why we see in Matthew 6:14-15 that, “if ye forgive men their
trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not
men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
The bottom line is this: forgive
and keep on forgiving. Forgive today, forgive tomorrow, forgive always, even
more than seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21-22).
Finally brethren, if anyone at
all has wronged you so badly that it hurts to your marrow, go and tell him or
her his or her faults between you and him or her alone: “if he or she shall
hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother or sister or friend…” (Matthew
18:15-17).
Everyone deserves forgiveness,
even you and even me. Turn the other cheek today; let love thrive, let peace
reign. And in all, ‘my beloved brethren, do not err.’
*** Written by Michael Olajubu aka
Jacobs Adewale (Admin) ***
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