By Jon Walker
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32, NIV)
The Bible teaches us to “settle our relationships with each other.” (2 Corinthians 5:18, MSG) We’re told to consistently forgive others when they’ve wronged us and to ask forgiveness of others when we’ve wronged them.
Otherwise, we’ll “give up in despair,” feeling like we can never get out from under the weight of failed fellowship and failed trust. (2 Corinthians 2:7, CEV)
Whenever we’re hurt by someone, we have a choice to make: Will we focus on retaliation or resolution, on getting even or giving grace?
The Bible speaks candidly about settling the score: “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.” (1 Thessalonians 5:15 NIV) God teaches that vengeance is his, and that he’ll take care of repaying those who deserve it. (Romans 12:17-21)
In God’s economy, it’s not enough to say we won’t seek revenge; we’re to press into the very heart of forgiveness, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave us. (Ephesians 4:32)
The Bible is very clear that forgiveness is not optional for the Christ-follower. God sets this high standard because he knows how much is at stake in your life. Bitterness and unforgiveness are a cancer that eventually will destroy you from the inside out; forgiveness is the scalpel that removes the tumor.
This doesn’t mean you’ll always be able to immediately forgive and be done with it. As you become more and more Christ-like, that will become possible, but for now you may have to work at forgiving someone who has hurt you in a particularly painful way.
In other words, it is possible that you may forgive this person now but soon feel a root of unforgiveness begin growing in your heart.
When this occurs, you can go to King Jesus and ask him to help you with this cycle. He will help you release the offender, and the Holy Spirit will guide you in your effort. (Galatians 2:20-21; 2 Corinthians 5:14-18)
A major point here is that forgiveness is a choice you can make.
The power of God, working within you, means you no longer have to remain a slave to unforgiveness or bitterness.
What does this mean?
- When you forgive, you’re not pretending it didn’t hurt – Forgiveness means you no longer hold the offense against the offender. It means you’ve pardoned the debt, and you’ve intentionally chosen to release the one who hurt you. We’re to love deeply, because “love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8 NIV)
- Be honest with God – Cry out to God; tell him exactly how you feel. He won’t be surprised or upset by your anger, hurt, insecurity, or bitterness.
- Stop! Talk to God – Have an honest conversation with God about someone you need to forgive. Our heavenly Father knows that it’s not easy to let go of your hurts, but he will give you the grace to forgive.
If you’d like to receive these devotionals regularly, you can sign-up at www.gracecreates.com/subscribe/. Jon Walker writes from www.gracecreates.com. He is a Zondervan author, and the former writer/editor of the Purpose Driven Life On-Line Devotionals. This devotional is copyrighted 2008 by Jon Walker. Used by permission.