Forgiveness

Two months or so ago, one of my friends forwarded me a text message. It was a simple text message about a son who asks his father what forgiveness is. You might have received or read this message before and it goes something like this.

A little boy asked his father...

Boy: Father, what is forgiveness?

Then father smiled and looked straightly to his son's eyes.

Father: Son, it may not be the exact meaning of forgiveness that I can give. But I can say that forgiveness is like the fragrance given by the flowers when they are crushed.


For me it was a simple illustration of the real meaning of forgiveness yet very powerful enough to be remembered every time I hear or think the word forgive. Forgiveness is one of the wonderful things that you can give to someone who wronged you aside from love; of course it is very hard to forgive without love in your heart. And forgiveness coming from the heart is remembered like the scent of a crushed flower, even if the fragrance has gone with the wind, the scent still lives and feels in the memory.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines forgiveness as "to grant free pardon and to give up all claim on account of an offence or debt".

In the bible, especially in the books of New Testament Jesus is speaking the significance of forgiving or showing mercy to others.

There He mentioned:

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” – Matthew 6:7

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you; leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.’’ – Matthew 5:23-24

“And when you stand praying, if you hold against anyone, forgive Him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins” – Mark 11:25.

“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on your cheek, turn him the other also” – Luke 6:27-29.

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36
“Do not judge and you will not be judged? Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37
Jesus asked for God's forgiveness of those who crucified him. "And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.'" Luke 23: 34.

Do you believe that the one who does not forgive is a prisoner? Until we forgive, we are the prisoner of the person who has hurt us.
Does the bible indicate up to how many times we should forgive our offenders? Yes it does!
In the books of Matthew and Luke it was Jesus himself who said that we should forgive seventy-seven times up to unlimited times. Do you remember when Peter came to Jesus? He asked Jesus, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brothers when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Then Jesus replied, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” - Matthew 18:21-22
Jesus says in Matthew we should forgive as many as seventy-seven times not just seven times as what Peter used to think.
In the book of Luke chapter 17:3-4 He says, “I am warning you! If another believer sins, rebuke him; then if he repents, forgive him. Even if he wrongs you seven times in a day and each time turns again and asks for forgiveness, forgive him.”

In this Chapter of Luke, where does it say unlimited? The word “each time” refers to it, it is like every time or all the time.

Why should we forgive? Do we get any benefits from this? Yes we do!

It is essential for our own forgiveness. Jesus said “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too” – Mark 11:25, 26.

Spiritual Cleansing. James says that the elders of the church should pray over those who are sick, the Lord will make them well, adding, “And anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.” – James 5:15-16.

If you are still angry with someone or you have not forgiven that person who hurt you, now is the time to take courage to forgive him or her and welcome him or her back.

Now is the time to start a new beginning. Now is the time to set aside all the bitterness and negative thoughts about each other.

Now is the time to let love and unity reign.

Now is the time to celebrate of being together again.

Life is too short so why not enjoy it and spread love more than what is supposed to be.

Life is too short to let hatred fill your heart and mind.

Enjoy and maximize the most of your life, do not waste it for some things that will only harm us instead invest on those things that will build up relationship with others, invest on the things that will show that we are authentic followers of Christ.

Forgive them so that our Father in heaven will forgive you also!



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