Monday – Someone once said

“If you forgive someone, then I forgive him, too. Christ sees me do it. I forgive because you do. Then Satan won’t fool us. We know all about his tricks.” II Cor 2:10-11 (Simple English Bible)

Someone once said that it was easier to get forgiveness than get permission! I think that works everywhere except within the church. Some Christians find it difficult to forgive and forget — there seems to be a verbal act of forgiving but the memory lingers until the next misstep. One of the best aspect of my own forgetfulness is that I forget the things that were once said or done against me. In fact, not only do I not remember how others mistreated me, I also forget my own misdeeds!

There was an incident in one of the local churches and Christians took sides. I wasn’t involved in the problem and only heard about it secondhand from one of the members, who insisted that I not forgive another member of the same congregation for his selfish act. I didn’t see any reason why I had to fall in line with one particular party or another. I said that until I spoke to the man himself and found out the truth, then I’d see if I could help nor not. But no matter what happened, I could not refuse to forgive!

Forgiveness isn’t a Christian option:  it is required. Satan uses our pride and anger to disrupt and alienate our brothers and sisters in Christ, sowing seeds of discontent and conflict. I don’t want to have anyone have power over my conscience by my refusal to forgive because of their bad behavior. After all, Christ forgave me and my conscience is clear! Why would I want to shackle it to another person’s problem?

If there is someone you know who you need to forgive or ask forgiveness, do it today. Sincerely pray and put it down at the foot of the Cross and walk away.

Forgiveness is God-like.

Steve