Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs
STEPS TO PEACEMAKING 7b - BE A GOOD FORGIVER continued.
It’s hard to imagine how many families are torn apart through the failure to forgive. Ephesians 2:4 says: “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins . . . ” To be rich in mercy is to be rich in forgiveness.
In the midst of unimaginable suffering and taking upon Himself the sin of the world, Jesus cried from cross, “Father, forgive them: for they know not whatthey do.” Without a doubt, the crime of all crimes was the crucifixion of the Jewish Messiah by His own flesh and blood. And yet it was all our sins, both Jew and Gentile, that nailed Him to that cross.
God had forgiveness in His heart when He planned our salvation from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). However, no matter how willing God is to forgive, it can only be received and experienced by the repentant, believing heart (John 1:12 and 3:16).
As men and fathers, God does not want us to be like Shakespeare’s Macbeth, always wanting our pound of flesh. God does not want us to be severe, cold, and calculating when it comes to forgiveness and peacemaking. However, this does not mean that we should be sloppy and giving forgiveness and fellowship to adulterers and fornicators while they continue in their sin. Far be it. But we should have a fervent desire to see fellowship restored, even if it is at great cost to us.
It cost our Heavenly Father His beloved Son. How much cost are we, His followers, prepared to pay? Forgiveness is not something we as Christians should struggle to give; rather our hearts should be full of it, always desiring for the right moment to pour it out.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
