Scriptural Readings: Romans 6:23; I John 1:6; Proverbs 10:12; 1 John 4:8; 19-20; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 4:13
This word seems to be the most impossible thing for us to do. There were times we cannot even get close to compromise with it. What makes it difficult to forgive? Have we ever reached a time that we completely tell and felt the true meaning of this word forgiveness? What is the prize of being forgiven?
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death.
We have heard this verse countless times but the question is does it really have the impact on us. Have we really confronted ourselves seriously this matter with our spiritual lives? If we are going to make this as an equation, sin without forgiveness is death.
but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Forgiveness through God the Son Jesus Christ resulted to eternal life. Jesus Christ and forgiveness are the constant in the equation. If we are going to take away one from this equation there is no eternal life. What would be result if there will be no forgiveness or if Jesus did not die for us?
No Forgiveness. No Jesus Christ. We are doomed.
To live in a hostile world, we have to remind ourselves always the equation of forgiveness and the Lord Jesus Christ otherwise we are befriending the enemy.
I John 1:6
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
The problem that we have is the retention of hatred in our hearts. It is impossible to live as a Christian if we have hatred and we say Jesus is in our hearts. This is a lie. We do not the truth.
1 John 4:19-20
We love because God first loved us. Whoever says, “I love God,” but hates his brother is a liar. The one who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love the God whom he has not seen.
Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.
This is a simple fact. Once we Christians hate someone we become liars.
We cannot love God but because God loved us first, we learn to love and this means love covers over all wrongs. FORGIVENESS.
This is now the new equation.
1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
New International Version
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Love plus forgiveness is the result of the true meaning of being a Christian that Christ lives in me and to live by faith in the Son of God.
God’s forgiveness through the finished work of His son Jesus Christ at calvary has given us the access to everything. To live by faith in the Son of God, we learn to love because God first loved us. Now we can be confident. We know how to love because Jesus Christ lives in us and now we can see God through Jesus our Lord and Saviour.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
This is the power of love. The capacity to forgive. Love surfaces and hatred disappear. The impossible becomes possible. I can do all things… like having forgiveness to those people who hurt us…. the confidence of having assurance of peace in our hearts even being caught in the middle of restlessness and uncertainties happening around us…the bright future in our lives which seems to be just a dream……. through Christ which strengtheneth me.
AMEN!