I forgive!
Reading: Lk 17:3-6
Peter came to Jesus and asked: “Lord how many times
shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me?
Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times,
but seventy times seven” (Mt 18:21,22)
You are hurt, deeply hurt. When the one who hurt you comes and says, “I am very sorry. Please forgive me,” what is your reaction? You may turn your face and walk away; or you may say, “That doesn’t relieve my hurt one bit.” You have another choice — you can hug and kiss the person and say, “It’s alright, I forgive you,” and put the hurt behind your back.
“So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them” (Lk 17:3,4).
“Watch yourselves!” We forgive not for the sake of the offender but for our own sakes too. We forgive to obey God. It should become our lifestyle. We can forgive even if we don’t feel like forgiving. Forgiveness gives us freedom and liberty. If we don’t forgive we live with the crippling consequences of unforgiveness. It will halt our spiritual growth. If we don’t forgive, we are disobedient before God as much as the one who hurt us. Both of us have failed in God’s sight. Instead of holding on to our hurt we can forgive and go ahead with God.
We must somehow show our love to the one who hurt us, and be a blessing to her. That’s the sure way of knowing that we have forgiven them. Forgive “everyone” “from the heart” (Mt 18:35).
Do not lose your forgiveness by refusing to forgive (Mt 18:34). We must be moved with compassion towards the offender (v27). What if the offender does not apologise? Once I was arguing with God that so and so had not apologised. Almost instantly the prayer of Jesus jumped out of my memory: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Lk 23:34).
Forgiveness does not mean you must trust them again. They must prove themselves trustworthy. Forgiveness and trust are two different issues. You can completely forgive a person, yet not be able to trust her. So forgive and enjoy the blessings of forgiveness!
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
I forgive!
Reading: Lk 17:3-6
Peter came to Jesus and asked: “Lord how many times
shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me?
Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times,
but seventy times seven” (Mt 18:21,22)
You are hurt, deeply hurt. When the one who hurt you comes and says, “I am very sorry. Please forgive me,” what is your reaction? You may turn your face and walk away; or you may say, “That doesn’t relieve my hurt one bit.” You have another choice — you can hug and kiss the person and say, “It’s alright, I forgive you,” and put the hurt behind your back.
“So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them” (Lk 17:3,4).
“Watch yourselves!” We forgive not for the sake of the offender but for our own sakes too. We forgive to obey God. It should become our lifestyle. We can forgive even if we don’t feel like forgiving. Forgiveness gives us freedom and liberty. If we don’t forgive we live with the crippling consequences of unforgiveness. It will halt our spiritual growth. If we don’t forgive, we are disobedient before God as much as the one who hurt us. Both of us have failed in God’s sight. Instead of holding on to our hurt we can forgive and go ahead with God.
We must somehow show our love to the one who hurt us, and be a blessing to her. That’s the sure way of knowing that we have forgiven them. Forgive “everyone” “from the heart” (Mt 18:35).
Do not lose your forgiveness by refusing to forgive (Mt 18:34). We must be moved with compassion towards the offender (v27). What if the offender does not apologise? Once I was arguing with God that so and so had not apologised. Almost instantly the prayer of Jesus jumped out of my memory: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Lk 23:34).
Forgiveness does not mean you must trust them again. They must prove themselves trustworthy. Forgiveness and trust are two different issues. You can completely forgive a person, yet not be able to trust her. So forgive and enjoy the blessings of forgiveness!
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
