By Forgiving Each Other...

Is forgiving so hard for Human Beings especially Christians like us?

As for me, it is EASY to forgive that person who did a small mistake(s) BUT it is HARD for me to forgive that person who did a BIG mistake(s). I have been praying everyday asking God to calm my heart down and able to forgive friends whom offended me or etc.. Forgiving an enemy or friend(s) is part of our spiritual Growth.

Did anyone in the fellowship offended you in one way or another or causes any misunderstandings?

Always remember that " In a fellowship without forgiveness is impossible! "

As believers, we're called "to settle our relationships with each other" (2 Cor 5:18). We need to consistently forgive others and receive forgiveness from others, or we'll "give up in despair"(2 Cor2:7)

The bible speaks candidly about settling score : "Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but try to be kind to each other and to everyone else"(1 Thes 5:15). In God's economy, it's not enough to say we won't seek revenge; we're to press into every heart of forgiveness - "forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Eph 4:32)

As the bible says, it becomes very clear that forgiveness is not optional for the Christ-Followers, God sets the standard SO high because he knows how much is at stake in our life. Bitterness & unforgiveness are a cancer that will eventually destroy you from the inside out. Forgiveness is the scalpel that removes the tumor of bitterness. This doesn't mean we'll always be able to forgive and be done with it but we may have to keep forgiving again and again until we know we've released the offender. But forgiveness is a choice we can make and one that God expects!

So WHAT does forgive means to me?

Forgiveness means you no longer hold the offense against the offender. It means we've pardoned the dept and we're intentionally chosen to release the one who hurt us.

Just like the bible says, you love deeply, "because love covers over a multitude of sins".(1 Peter 4:8)

Maybe here are some steps which we can do towards forgiveness :

1. Talk to God before talking to the person. Cry out to God telling him exactly How you feel.

2. Always TAKE the initiative. It doesn't matter whether you are the offender or the offended.

In the bible God told us to make the first move: "This is how i want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of wroship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God" (Matt 5:23-24)

3.Confess your part of the conflict. If you're seriously about restoring a relationship, you should begin with admitting your own mistakes or sin.

In the bible, Jesus said it's the way to see things moreclearly, "Firstly get rid of the log from your own eye; then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye" (Matt 7:5)

If anyone us are in the situation of not forgiving your friends or HARD to forgive your "enemies", maybe we should stop right now and have an honest conversation with God about someone we need to forgive. It is because our heavenly father knows that it's not easy to let go of our hurts. But he will help us and give us the grace to forgive!


祖尭