Who tell yuh dat? The lies we believe: To err is human, to forgive is divine - Part II.
The lies we believe: To err is human, to forgive is divine
WHY DO I have to forgive when I was the one wronged? This is a common response from people who feel they have been treated unfairly by others. As Christians, we are called to forgive regardless of the circumstance. We started looking at this last week as part of our series, Who Tell Yuh Dat? The Lies We
Believe, and today, we will continue by looking at what forgiveness truly entails.
The Greek word for ‘forgive’ carries the idea of a release from some type of obligation, most commonly, a financial obligation. In the Bible, Jesus illustrated the concept of forgiveness in Luke 7:41-42 NLT, through this story: “... A man loaned money to two people – 500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other – but neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, cancelling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?”
The money lender chose to RELEASE both of the debtors from their very real obligations – the money owed. This is the essence of forgiveness! When we forgive, we acknowledge that a wrong has occurred, that there is an obligation for repayment and then choose to release the offender from that obligation.
Here are four biblical reasons why we should take the initiative and forgive:
1. FORGIVENESS IS OFTEN THE ONLY WAY FOR US TO SETTLE A DEBT
We often struggle with forgiveness because we are unaware that we are holding a worthless debt. We mistakenly believe that there is some payment that can be extracted from our offender that will compensate for our loss. So, we develop an eye-for-an-eye mentality, not realising that the Lord wants us to forgive so that He can be our advocate. Romans 12:19 NIV tells us “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge: I will repay,’ says the Lord”.
2. FORGIVENESS FREES US TO GET ON WITH OUR LIVES
Sometimes the only reasonable option is to cut our losses rather than risk painful preoccupation with a hopeless situation. If we hold on to the offence, we in effect, become an emotional hostage to our offender. One of the best reasons for forgiving someone is not about what it does for them, but what it does for us!
3. FORGIVENESS IS AN ANTIDOTE TO NEEDLESS SUFFERING
The Bible’s term for unforgiveness is bitterness. Although bitterness takes root in the mind, it doesn’t stay contained in the mind.
Acrimony can spread into every aspect of a person’s life. Some kind of bitter torment can affect not only me, but persons around me through the power of sowing and reaping. When we are riling up because of our unforgiveness, what we don’t realise is that we are sowing seeds that are destined to have us reap a harvest, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into our lap. So, possibly, some of the things we are reaping in our lives are because of ‘bitter roots’ or ‘roots of resentment’ we have sown.
4. FORGIVENESS IS THE OBLIGATION OF THE FORGIVEN
The Bible teaches that there is an inseparable link between receiving and granting forgiveness, “... if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive
your sins,” Matthew 6:14-15 NIV. Jesus’ parable teaches us that our personal sin against God has produced an obligation we could never hope to repay. But the KING FORGAVE US! While the pain that someone has inflicted on you is real, it is also negligible compared to the wrong you have committed against God. That is the ultimate reason why you should forgive!
If there are persons you need to forgive, that you have been holding a grudge against, take the opportunity now to say a prayer and release them.
FORGIVE AND RELEASE PRAYER
In the name of Jesus, I choose to forgive as I have been forgiven. I. now choose to forgive ______________ for _______________. I release any right I believe I have to bring revenge against him or her. I release them from my hands and place them into Your hands, my just Judge. I break every curse I have sent to them, and instead, I call forth a blessing towards them.
Join us next week as we look at another popular saying, ‘money is the root of all evil’.