FORGIVE HIM

“…If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.” – Luke 17:3

REFERENCE:

Luke 17:1-4

Jesus said, “It is impossible that no offenses should come.” That is true. As long as we relate with other humans, we are bound to rub one another wrong or say things out of turn. We have been told what to do when a brother offends or sins against us – forgive him.

Forgiveness is a rich concept that runs through the whole bible. It is at the root of Christianity. Romans 5:8 says, “…While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Without forgiveness, there will be no love; we know love because God first forgave us. As humans, we will always need forgiveness for our offenses or need to forgive an offender.

In our text, Jesus teaches how to respond to anyone who offends us – forgive him and let it go. It is how God treats our failings. Forgiving the shortcomings of others shows that we regard God’s Word above our hurts. Jesus’ time on earth was marked with several instances of Him forgiving people. The most unique was when He extended mercy to a thief hanging beside Him on the cross.

As the agents of Jesus on earth, we must extend mercy and forgiveness to one another. We should overlook, forgive, and give second chances to our relatives, friends, colleagues, spouses, church members, etc. You may say, “They really hurt me and I am pained.” Listen to what I saw on a friend’s (Matt Millar) Facebook page once, “Forgiveness does not deny your pain or deny that harm was caused. Forgiveness accepts that there is a Judge and I am not Him.”

A friendship that lacks forgiveness will not last, and a marriage that does not understand the language of forgiveness is heading for a divorce. God is Love, and by His Spirit in us, He has shed His love abroad in our hearts (Romans 5:5). Love does not write off the offender; it seeks to gain a brother by forgiving him. Open up the prison of your heart where you have locked that person who offended you up, and set him free. By the mercies of God, please, forgive him.

PHOTO QUOTE

ADDITIONAL TEXTS:

Colossians 3:13, Ephesians 4:30-32 & I Corinthians 13:4-8.

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CONFESSION

I am a love child of a love God. I live in victory over offenses because I have the DNA of God in me. I do my best to neither take nor give offense. I walk in love, and I am quick to forgive. I seek forgiveness where I am wrong and do my best to seek reconciliation. I demonstrate God’s kindness, goodness, love, mercy, and forgiveness to all around me.