Durruck
Pirate!
This is a cross-post from my guild's website. I've modified it from it's original format to fit this screen, as well as providing specific Biblical references for things I've stated. Here it goes:
Forgiveness. It's the core element of who we are. As members of a Christian guild, we understand where we are, where we come from, where we're going. We understand that it is only through God's pure and perfect love for us that he sent his son to take the fall for our sins. Jesus hung on a cross so that we could be forgiven.
God tells us in the Bible that we are set free from our transgressions through a relationship with Jesus. We must confess our sins, and they are forgiven - 1 John 1:9 says "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from unrighteousness." How simple. How beautiful. God also told us in the Bible that we need to be more Christ-like. What does that mean? That's not quite so simple. We know that we can never measure up to the pure goodness that He is, but we should strive to do the things that He did.
In the parable of the lost sheep (Matthew 18:12-14 and Luke 15:4-7), Jesus tells us that we should step out to the lost and try to bring them home.
In the Lamp on a Stand (Lamp under a bowl, etc, in Matthew 5:14-16, Mark 4:21-22, Luke 8:16), we're told to not hide the Light under our beds, but put the Light out for all to see. Shows others the love that Jesus has shown to you.
In the parable of the lost (prodigal) son (Luke 15:11-32), the son that leaves is welcomed home and given a huge party, his wrongs forgotten by his father.
On and on in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, we're given standards to live by. And these aren't the only things we have to worry about. Jesus tell us that we have to follow the spirit of the law, not just the written laws. Jesus called out the Pharisees for being ritualistic. They were only doing exactly what the law said, but they weren't doing what the law intended.
So that brings me to my point. God bestows His forgiveness upon us after we admit our wrongdoings and ask Him to forgive us. It's part of the Lord's Prayer. In Luke 11:2-4, the Lord's Prayer. In part, "forgive us our sins, as we also forgive everyone who sins against us." So here, we're given the law, as well as numerous accounts of how to follow through.
So often, we're hurt by others. Family, friends, co-workers, random strangers. We're all humans caught up in our busy lives, trying to make it through another day. Every moment, we are faced with choice after choice. We make most of them subconsciously, never giving a fraction of a moment to think about the consequences or how it will effect others. I know I'm just as guilty as the next person.
The important point here is two-fold. First, we need to seek forgiveness from those we've wronged. It's hard to say "I'm sorry", but it's a huge step in our walk with God. Again, from 1 John 1:9 - we have to confess our sins to be forgiven.
Secondly, we need to let go. Job 11:6 even mentions, "Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin." Obviously God, being all-knowing, doesn't actually forget what you've done, but God has chosen to ignore it. He has chosen to not hold your sins against you. Jesus, while hanging on the cross, even asks God to overlook our sins. In Luke 23:34, we read, "Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Jesus is asking that the sins of those who are murdering him not be held against him. That's right, Jesus asks forgiveness for murderers, too.
"forgive us our sins, as we also forgive everyone who sins against us." That doesn't say "eh, I'll say it's alright, but hold a grudge and use it as fodder for retaliation" or "ignore their apology and go on hating the person for what they've done". It says forgive. If someone wrongs you and makes an honest, sincere apology, Jesus said we have to take it, honor it, and move on. Let it go.
How do you let it go? Well first, you have to decide to do it. Yes, it really is a choice. Just as believing that you are really reading God's word in the Bible or hearing his voice in your head, deciding that God has inspired you (or others) to say something, to do something... it's all a choice. That's what is so awesome about free will. Awesome, but difficult to understand and follow through with. Re-read the part about Job 11:6, if you need an example.
Secondly, Satan doesn't want you to forgive and forget. Satan wants you to stew on it, to hate, to conspire, to retaliate. So every chance he gets, he's going to interject hurtful memories into your conscious. You have a choice - let Satan influence your decision, or let Jesus' words be your light and turn the other cheek.
So, does that mean that it will get easier to do the more you practice? Yes. It is said, "time heals wounds," but I honestly believe that to be a mistake. Practicing forgiveness heals wounds. My supervisor wronged me a few years ago. He lied, he tried to cover his mistake, he tried to blame-shift. But he didn't take responsibility for his decisions. I was furious. I was filled with such an anger that I didn't know how to control. I wanted him fired, I wanted him to suffer the same ailments that he potentially inflicted upon me, I wanted his life ruined. (Some people say that they wanted him dead. I don't know that I truly wanted that).
After three months of administrative leave, he returned to duty. He sat down with all of us in a big meeting and stood up, apologized, and took full responsibility for his actions. Did I let it go? Sadly, I did not. I was blinded by the hated that had taken hold of my heart that I couldn't find it in my heart to forgive him. After a lot of reading my Bible, talking to people, and honestly working very hard to restore a good working relationship, I can say that I've forgiven him. Many of my co-workers haven't been able to do the same. They still hold on to that hatred, that anger. They refuse to move on and try to restore a working relationship with our supervisor. What does the Bible tell us about this situation? We see in Luke 17:3, "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. 4If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him." He came back, said he was sorry, and has tried to move on. We are called to do the same. Ephesians 4:31-32 tells us, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. B kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Choose to let it go.
Satan still tries to tempt me with painful memories of that time, but I'm able to look past that with the help of Jesus' love. It's been a few years since that all took place, but when I extend the power of love and forgiveness onto others that Jesus has given to me, it makes it so easy.
What other decision could I possibly make? None. With time, practice, prayer, and love, I suspect you'll find the same.
Forgiveness. It's the core element of who we are. As members of a Christian guild, we understand where we are, where we come from, where we're going. We understand that it is only through God's pure and perfect love for us that he sent his son to take the fall for our sins. Jesus hung on a cross so that we could be forgiven.
God tells us in the Bible that we are set free from our transgressions through a relationship with Jesus. We must confess our sins, and they are forgiven - 1 John 1:9 says "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from unrighteousness." How simple. How beautiful. God also told us in the Bible that we need to be more Christ-like. What does that mean? That's not quite so simple. We know that we can never measure up to the pure goodness that He is, but we should strive to do the things that He did.
In the parable of the lost sheep (Matthew 18:12-14 and Luke 15:4-7), Jesus tells us that we should step out to the lost and try to bring them home.
In the Lamp on a Stand (Lamp under a bowl, etc, in Matthew 5:14-16, Mark 4:21-22, Luke 8:16), we're told to not hide the Light under our beds, but put the Light out for all to see. Shows others the love that Jesus has shown to you.
In the parable of the lost (prodigal) son (Luke 15:11-32), the son that leaves is welcomed home and given a huge party, his wrongs forgotten by his father.
On and on in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, we're given standards to live by. And these aren't the only things we have to worry about. Jesus tell us that we have to follow the spirit of the law, not just the written laws. Jesus called out the Pharisees for being ritualistic. They were only doing exactly what the law said, but they weren't doing what the law intended.
So that brings me to my point. God bestows His forgiveness upon us after we admit our wrongdoings and ask Him to forgive us. It's part of the Lord's Prayer. In Luke 11:2-4, the Lord's Prayer. In part, "forgive us our sins, as we also forgive everyone who sins against us." So here, we're given the law, as well as numerous accounts of how to follow through.
So often, we're hurt by others. Family, friends, co-workers, random strangers. We're all humans caught up in our busy lives, trying to make it through another day. Every moment, we are faced with choice after choice. We make most of them subconsciously, never giving a fraction of a moment to think about the consequences or how it will effect others. I know I'm just as guilty as the next person.
The important point here is two-fold. First, we need to seek forgiveness from those we've wronged. It's hard to say "I'm sorry", but it's a huge step in our walk with God. Again, from 1 John 1:9 - we have to confess our sins to be forgiven.
Secondly, we need to let go. Job 11:6 even mentions, "Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin." Obviously God, being all-knowing, doesn't actually forget what you've done, but God has chosen to ignore it. He has chosen to not hold your sins against you. Jesus, while hanging on the cross, even asks God to overlook our sins. In Luke 23:34, we read, "Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Jesus is asking that the sins of those who are murdering him not be held against him. That's right, Jesus asks forgiveness for murderers, too.
"forgive us our sins, as we also forgive everyone who sins against us." That doesn't say "eh, I'll say it's alright, but hold a grudge and use it as fodder for retaliation" or "ignore their apology and go on hating the person for what they've done". It says forgive. If someone wrongs you and makes an honest, sincere apology, Jesus said we have to take it, honor it, and move on. Let it go.
How do you let it go? Well first, you have to decide to do it. Yes, it really is a choice. Just as believing that you are really reading God's word in the Bible or hearing his voice in your head, deciding that God has inspired you (or others) to say something, to do something... it's all a choice. That's what is so awesome about free will. Awesome, but difficult to understand and follow through with. Re-read the part about Job 11:6, if you need an example.
Secondly, Satan doesn't want you to forgive and forget. Satan wants you to stew on it, to hate, to conspire, to retaliate. So every chance he gets, he's going to interject hurtful memories into your conscious. You have a choice - let Satan influence your decision, or let Jesus' words be your light and turn the other cheek.
So, does that mean that it will get easier to do the more you practice? Yes. It is said, "time heals wounds," but I honestly believe that to be a mistake. Practicing forgiveness heals wounds. My supervisor wronged me a few years ago. He lied, he tried to cover his mistake, he tried to blame-shift. But he didn't take responsibility for his decisions. I was furious. I was filled with such an anger that I didn't know how to control. I wanted him fired, I wanted him to suffer the same ailments that he potentially inflicted upon me, I wanted his life ruined. (Some people say that they wanted him dead. I don't know that I truly wanted that).
After three months of administrative leave, he returned to duty. He sat down with all of us in a big meeting and stood up, apologized, and took full responsibility for his actions. Did I let it go? Sadly, I did not. I was blinded by the hated that had taken hold of my heart that I couldn't find it in my heart to forgive him. After a lot of reading my Bible, talking to people, and honestly working very hard to restore a good working relationship, I can say that I've forgiven him. Many of my co-workers haven't been able to do the same. They still hold on to that hatred, that anger. They refuse to move on and try to restore a working relationship with our supervisor. What does the Bible tell us about this situation? We see in Luke 17:3, "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. 4If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him." He came back, said he was sorry, and has tried to move on. We are called to do the same. Ephesians 4:31-32 tells us, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. B kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Choose to let it go.
Satan still tries to tempt me with painful memories of that time, but I'm able to look past that with the help of Jesus' love. It's been a few years since that all took place, but when I extend the power of love and forgiveness onto others that Jesus has given to me, it makes it so easy.
What other decision could I possibly make? None. With time, practice, prayer, and love, I suspect you'll find the same.