THE BEAUTY OF FORGIVENESS

PSALMIST CHALLENGE: PSALM 136-140

PROVERBS CAPSULE: PROVERBS 28

Jesus had been mistreated in every conceivable way. He had been falsely accused, underhandedly condemned, and brutally crucified. In spite of this, thinking of those who had sinned against Him, Jesus lifted His voice to God, asking Him to forgive them. He did not strike back, answering railing for railing or curse for curse. He did not respond to their cutting criticisms; He prayed for them in a spirit of forgiveness. Instead of castigating them, He covered their dark crimes and their wicked hearts with His compassion. When someone sins against you, that sin is his problem with God. Your attitude toward the offender and his sin is your problem before God.

The beauty of forgiveness goes out from our hearts to the hearts of those who have wronged us. When you respond to the person who has wronged you with love and compassion, with sensitivity and lovingkindness, you are addressing his deepest problem. Responding to him with love is the supreme act of grace that you can extend to him. Will that person who has wronged you be moved by your compassion? Usually, he will be. Who can look into the face of a person who has said, “I have completely forgiven you,” and not be deeply affected? However, if he is not affected by your love, you still have made the right response to his sin. This is the way Jesus handled mistreatment, and this is the way we should deal with it too. Why do we offer mercy? We do it because of who we are, not because of what we think might happen in the other person.

Forgiveness is one of the most beautiful attitudes one person can have toward another. It is one of the finest gifts you can give to another man. Stephen was misjudged and unfairly condemned. He was stoned for his righteous living. At a young age, his life was taken from him, his family and the church. His future on earth was violently snuffed out by hate-filled people. What did he do concerning their crime against his life? He remembered what Jesus did in a similar situation and responded to the angry mob with love, forgiveness, and mercy. As they threw the stones and he fell to his knees under their blows, he prayed for them, saying, “Lord, do not lay this sin against them!” (Acts 7:60). By dying with such a noble spirit, he gave the world a view of God’s heart that it can never forget. Someone said, “Had Stephen not prayed, Saul would not have preached.” Stephen’s spirit of forgiveness released into the world a beautiful aroma that will linger until the end of time.

When we sin, we sin against God. After sinning, we can only say with David, “Against You, You only, I have sinned” (Psalm 51:4a). We can forgive others of what they have done to us, but we cannot remove their sins. Only God can do that. The next time you are wronged by someone, remember our Saviour’s prayer: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34a). If you do not forgive others their sins, yours are hanged in the courtroom of God. Are there people that offended you, show them the love of Christ today.

Word Affirmation: “The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge." - Psalm 46:11 (Don't just say it, mean it!)

“If you do not forgive others, your sins are hanged in the courtroom of God."

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