A Christian is someone who forgives.
Non-Christians forgive too, but to follow the forgiving Christ we must be forgiving Christ-followers.
Jesus said that the greatest commandments are loving God and loving people. Most can love those who love them, but Christians are to love those who don’t love them. Often those unlovable enemies are those who have wronged them and need to be forgiven.
Here are a few thoughts on forgiveness
-Forgiveness is a daily choice, not just a momentary decision.
-Forgiveness (and forgiveness’ end-reconciliation) doesn’t always go the way you want and even that needs to be forgiven.
-Often forgiving gives the giver more than the recipient.
Is there a more define act of Christians than forgiving?
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5 comments:
I find that last statement especially profound: "Often forgiving gives the giver more than the recipient." Totally true. And I'm not sure if folks can really understand that until they experience a situation where forgiveness actually costs them something. Something precious.
Forgiveness is a sacrifice (or, gift... or, offering) unto reconciliation.
Great post, Luke. I think you just helped me put together some starting thoughts for an upcoming sermon... ;)
Forgive us our debts,
AS we also have forgiven our debtors...
we are praying that God totally forgives us, right? hmmmm... could it be that we are forgiven in the same manner that we forgive?
"Forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." - Ephesians 4:32
Pretty good definition of how we are supposed to forgive others (and also how incredibly hard it is).
Philip- please steal and use it in your sermon. I know I do the same thing. And I agree forgiveness is something you must experience to understand (or try to understand).
Marc-Yeah that's a bit troubling- I hope God is better at forgiving than I am
Brian- yeah, really hard.
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