“Forgive Your Brother From The Heart!”(Mt.18:21-35).
Like Peter we too may want to know how many times we have to forgive a brother who sins against us. “Up to seven times?” Jesus says “not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” This is to say there is no limit to forgiveness.
“I forgive you” is so common on our lips, but how we treat those we claim to forgive speaks differently. No-one has to remind us that “action speaks louder than words.”
“Forgiveness means different things to different people. Generally, however, it involves a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge. The act that hurt or offended you might always be with you, but forgiveness can lessen its grip on you and help free you from the control of the person who harmed you.”
What I gather from the above quote is that resentment and thoughts of revenge against the person who caused you pain is allowing yourself to be controlled by that person. You can understand why unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting your enemy to die.
My friend, you are controlled by the person you do not want to forgive. Let go and breathe some air of relieve. Besides, if today you harbour thoughts of revenge against the person who has harmed you, you may be tempted to do something stupid. You may harm that person. And now it is you whom that person may want to further harm more severely. Unforgiveness therefore creates a vicious circle!
Sin against God is like a huge debt that you owe him. Each time he wants to incarcerate you, you plead for forgiveness and God gives you more time to repent. In the same way that he forgives you, he expects you to forgive the little sin that the other person has committed against you.
God’s gavel of justice awaits “each of us unless we forgive our brothers from your heart.”
Earlier on we said “I forgive you” has become mere lip service. Forgiveness which comes from the heart is seen in one’s attitude towards the forgiven one.
Dear friend, do you want to write all the hurts, harms and pains inflicted upon you by others? If you must write them, write them
on sand so that you may not know at which number you are. Do not carve them on stone; it may become material for the archive!
Three main reminders:
- Forgive from the heart.
- Forgive, times without number.
- Free yourself from the control of the person who has harmed you by forgiving him/her.
Prayer: LORD, transform my vengeful heart to a forgiving heart. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.