Originally written on December 20, 2012
Jesus says we must forgive others if we want to be forgiven. This means that no matter what another does to us, we're supposed to forgive them - there's no conditions that are an excuse to NOT forgive someone. Forgiveness is one of the best expressions love for another, because if you forgive them, you're annulling their debts (even if figuratively) to you and allowing them to go free.
Think of it this way - if Jesus could forgive the people who beat Him and spit on Him with NO conditions whatsoever, or if He can forgive the worst of the worst here on earth if they only ask, shouldn't we be able to forgive others for their trespasses? Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." He didn't say, "Father, forgive them, but punish them and judge them." He said "FORGIVE THEM".
The hatred I've seen, even from some self-proclaimed Christians, towards murderers such as Adam Lanza or Anders Breivik fills me with a LOAD of sadness. It saddens me to know how dark, hateful, and frankly, pathetic the human race has become. Do you think God will spare you of judgement if you don't spare others of your own judgement?
LET THEM GO. Hold NOTHING against anyone. If a man steals from you, do not demand the items back. If a man murders someone you love, do not murder him in retaliation. If a man lies to you, do not lie back to him. If a man owes you a debt that he cannot pay, annul that debt never to appear again.
I think a lot of people today need to read the parable of the debtor. Matthew 18:21-35. "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'" That "seventy-seven times" isn't placing a limit on the amount of times you should forgive someone, but rather, is intended to illustrate that you should NEVER not forgive someone.
Until you forgive and forget those who sin against you, you will never be able to live in the peace of Jesus Christ. So let go - even if the debtor isn't grateful. ALL VENGEANCE is at the hands of Jesus Christ, and He promises you that if you serve Him, He will make those who persecute you (even verbally) bow at your feet on judgement day, and He will make them acknowledge that He has loved you.
If you murdered someone, but felt 100% sorry and remorseful for your crime, would you like it if people were hating you and condemning you? Of course not - you'd want them to FORGIVE YOU. PRAY for those who sin against you, do not pay them back for their crimes against you...
Think of it this way - if Jesus could forgive the people who beat Him and spit on Him with NO conditions whatsoever, or if He can forgive the worst of the worst here on earth if they only ask, shouldn't we be able to forgive others for their trespasses? Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." He didn't say, "Father, forgive them, but punish them and judge them." He said "FORGIVE THEM".
The hatred I've seen, even from some self-proclaimed Christians, towards murderers such as Adam Lanza or Anders Breivik fills me with a LOAD of sadness. It saddens me to know how dark, hateful, and frankly, pathetic the human race has become. Do you think God will spare you of judgement if you don't spare others of your own judgement?
LET THEM GO. Hold NOTHING against anyone. If a man steals from you, do not demand the items back. If a man murders someone you love, do not murder him in retaliation. If a man lies to you, do not lie back to him. If a man owes you a debt that he cannot pay, annul that debt never to appear again.
I think a lot of people today need to read the parable of the debtor. Matthew 18:21-35. "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'" That "seventy-seven times" isn't placing a limit on the amount of times you should forgive someone, but rather, is intended to illustrate that you should NEVER not forgive someone.
Until you forgive and forget those who sin against you, you will never be able to live in the peace of Jesus Christ. So let go - even if the debtor isn't grateful. ALL VENGEANCE is at the hands of Jesus Christ, and He promises you that if you serve Him, He will make those who persecute you (even verbally) bow at your feet on judgement day, and He will make them acknowledge that He has loved you.
If you murdered someone, but felt 100% sorry and remorseful for your crime, would you like it if people were hating you and condemning you? Of course not - you'd want them to FORGIVE YOU. PRAY for those who sin against you, do not pay them back for their crimes against you...
