Forgiveness

[dwb]

Reading how Charlie Kirk's widow said at his memorial "I forgive him" referring to the man who killed her husband, how can it be easy to forgive those who have caused us great harm? Actions by others affect our lives as long as we live. Maybe it's taking the life of a parent, a spouse, loved one, or a child. Maybe stealing your life's saving, decades of sacrificing wants and needs only to have it taken away by someone who has only greed in their heart. Or years of verbal insults and abuse which can never be unheard that damaged your emotional well being. It's hard to forgive, especially when those who have done the harm have no repentance.

Us sinful humans don't have the divine deity of Jesus, so how can we really forgive others sins? We can't forgive in the way that Jesus can in the washing and cleansing away just as if no sins have been committed (Justification), but we can forgive to allow us to heal. We can try love to those those who have done us harm by knowing we are following Christ, and knowing that in the end He will judge accordingly.

From Christian Living "It asks us to extend love and kindness even when it’s undeserved, to trust God to avenge our situation instead of ourselves, and to use life’s conflicts as opportunities to display God’s character" (Matthew 5:23-24; Proverbs 28:13).

Matt 18 : 21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

I struggle with this daily, trying to forgive those who hate and destroy all that is good and moral. Trying not to judge those who judge me, without knowing anything about me or my life. Knowing that Jesus loves us ALL, not just those that we think He should love.

 

[Everlasting Life]

Another struggler here....

Love your post, well said!


I keep these thoughts in mind to help me keep perspective:

The Church is encouraged to patiently wait so that the full number of saved souls from all nations can be harvested.

Justice delayed is not justice denied....but grace holding back judgement, for the sake of those yet to respond to God's call of Salvation. This is why we stand in faith as God preserves us for our future inheritance and works to bring others to join us before His final judgment.

Forgiveness doesn't excuse sinful behavior, it frees me to trustingly let God deal with people in His time and continue to allow the Holy Spirit work in me to exhibit Jesus in the midst of difficulty (which has softened hearts and God's used to draw others to Him). Hard to do in my own power!! Only dependence on God's power will do.... with minute by minute appeals for His help at times!

I love the story of Daniel and how he interprets Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a tree cut down, representing God humbling him. Daniel, serving the very one who was responsible for his exile, had an amazingly respectful.....even posture, of concern for this beastly king! I can't help but to conclude Daniel understood God had a good plan and exile was part of this.

It seems because of this trusting perspective Daniel forgave this narcissistic king! And as a result, God used Daniel in a powerful way as He dealt with this king to humble him and refocus his lense that only God is the Most High. I think this is a great example of the power of forgiveness.

And, where I've been overwhelmed, I've asked God to forgive through me where I've really struggled

There's for sure going to be a time of great celebration, recorded in Revelation, which the Lord will then encourage; that is, when this world system will finally be powerfully destroyed by God.... forever.

And when the Lord assumes His throne on earth in Jerusalem. Amen!