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Do you find it hard to forgive? When someone hurts you or sins against you, do you hold a grudge or are you quick to forgive an offense?
4. Love is extending forgiveness.
The Bible has a lot to say about forgiveness and our heart posture as followers of Jesus.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
“Bear with each other and forgive one another …if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13).
Do you notice the last few words of both of these verses? Forgive as the Lord, just as God in Christ has forgiven you. As a follower of Christ, Jesus is our example. Jesus is love and Jesus forgives.
As his followers we follow suit. If you are waiting to feel like forgiving, you may be waiting a very long time. Love is not a feeling, it is an action.
In the gospel of Matthew, “Then 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-seven times!’” (Matthew 18:21-22). It’s a tall order.
Theologian Henri Nouwen says “Forgiveness is the name of love practiced among people who love poorly. The hard truth is that all of us love poorly. We need to forgive and be forgiven every day, every hour–unceasingly.”
Colossians 3:12-14 reminds us:
As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Love is the mark of true maturity! We know we are maturing in our faith and in being more like Jesus when we love, when we forgive. It is really hard to forgive sometimes, trust me, I know. But forgiveness is the goal for every Christ follower. Is there someone Jesus is calling you to forgive? Ask him to release your heart from hurt, bitterness or resentment and help you to surrender to the process of forgiveness.
