The Gift of Forgiveness

Christmas is, (for the Christian) a time to celebrate ALL that we have in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

That celebration involves embracing Him not just as a babe in a manger, but as King of Kings and LORD of lords.

In Jesus Christ we have the provision, the only suitable provision, for the Forgiveness of our sin. In and with that provision, God issues a call for US to forgive others. To extend Forgiveness to those who sin/offend us. Forgiveness is a gift from God. And, one He is serious about. It’s a HUGE gift to receive and a HUGE gift to give.

The Scriptural Mandate

Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Matthew 18:21-35 35 My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

The Dangerous Ground of Unforgiveness!

In his book, “The Bait of Satan” John Bevere suggests that Satan is busy at work dividing the body of Christ by way of offenses (Gr.scandalon) and unforgiveness.

Unforgiveness is dangerous for two primary reasons; one, it is an invisible sin. The porn addict and liquor head are easy to catch/spot. Not so with a person bound up in unforgiveness. They may appear as Godly, Jesus loving people, and in fact they may be Godly, Jesus loving people. Unfortunately, they’re living in disobedience to God by being unwilling or refusing to forgive. Secondly; it’s a poor witness of the work of Christ in your life. Many people, even skeptics, EXPECT Christians to be “forgiving” people.

Why the Scriptural Tie In? As we forgive? Or, as God in Christ?

GOD knows our hearts! He knows our nature and the strength of our flesh, the depth of our pride. Thus He holds us to a tight standard, “forgive us, as we forgive those” and below “as God in Christ has forgiven us”

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another” simple-straight forward, yet pointed, specific.

“tender hearted” “compassionate” the opposite of harsh and unloving.

Ask someone close to you, (and embrace an honest response) Am I kind? Am I tender hearted and compassionate?

“forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you”.

1 John 2: 1-2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the right-eous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

Adequate!

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us

Unearned!

Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Complete!

Take time to personally reflect: Do I forgive/release others in that way?

Am I comfortable living in disobedience to God/scripture by magnifying the offense I suffered and rationalizing my unforgiveness? Or by constantly reminding myself and others, How hard it is to forgive?

Said, James Oglethorpe to John Wesley; “I never forget and I never forgive”

Said John Wesley in response; “well then Sir, I hope you never sin”.

Unforgiveness is a sign that the presence of self is so dominant, that there is no room for Christ.

Whatever the circumstance, event or person, let’s make room for Christ to work in every area of our life. FORGIVE! Be a Reconciler! ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________