Called To Forgive

"The gentleman does not needlessly and unnecessarily remind an offender of a wrong he may have committed against him. He can not only forgive; he can forget; and he strives for that nobleness of self and mildness of character which imparts sufficient strength to let the past be put the past." -General Robert E. Lee

            Someone says something hurtful; they wrong me in some way and I can’t help but feel resentment and anger for what they did. Sometimes I want to hurt them back, as if seeing them suffer will alleviate the suffering that they caused me. But revenge is the opposite of forgiveness, and to forgive is what Jesus commanded me to do when He said to forgive a person who wrongs me, not once or twice, but “seventy seven times!” (Matthew 18:22) And don’t be confused, it is a command. Sometimes I forget that I am just as imperfect, just as faulty and wrong in my life as that person who wronged me. I am no better, nor worse than they. But through God and his saving grace, I do not need to worry about my imperfections, for He has forgiven all my wrongs against Him! What a joy to be forgiven!

So if it is such a joy to be forgiven, why then should I not spread that grace to others so that they may experience the same joy? Of course it is typically not quite that easy to do, but oftentimes the right way is not. Still, the thing to remember is that it is what God commands me to do, and in doing so, I not only grow my own character, I also please God. Forgiveness is the foundation for humility and humility is the basis for good character. Good character fosters Godliness and Godliness makes a man righteous in God’s eyes. So why not forgive others of their wrongs against me and instead strive for a righteous character? A righteous man forgives others and then lets it be, just as God has let all of our sins be through His Son Jesus Christ.

Dear Father, thank you for being with me today. You know the anger and resentment that festers in my heart. You know the difficulty I have in letting bygones be bygones, but Lord, I pray that you would not let those festering thoughts become festering wounds. Instead, help me to forgive all I need to forgive. Make me the man that I need to be to open my heart and humble my pride, and take that experience and allow me to grow closer to you. I just pray Lord that in all that I do, in all that I say, that I would make you proud and that I would treat others in the same way you have treated me. Please be with me this day, bless me and give me your strength, and in all things may your will be done. Amen.