Day 30-Forgiveness

Day 30 of 30Days of Thanks

Forgiveness

“Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Colossians 3:12-14

The wording is simple but the actions…not so much. If the world followed this teaching there would be no wars. No killing. No churches splitting. No family feuds. No neighbors who didn’t speak to each other.

Too often forgiveness is conditional. “I’ll forgive them but….” or “I’ll forgive them when….” It just doesn’t work that way.

Years ago someone wronged someone I loved. It brought my loved one hurt, pain, shame, and sorrow at a time in their life when they were already at their lowest. It was the proverbial kicking a dog when it’s down. For years I struggled with forgiveness. I kept waiting for them to realize what they had done and come ask me to forgive them. That never happened.

Then one day it occurred to me that Jesus didn’t get an apology. If anyone was ever mistreated unfairly it was him. He didn’t deserve any of the abuse or disrespect, and he certainly didn’t deserve the pain and agony of the cross, but he did it anyway…for all humanity. He went to the cross because of sins like mine and then he forgave me.

The difference in we humans is we have so much pride and it’s hard for us to put that aside and say (and really mean) “I forgive you.”

Thank you, Lord, for forgiveness. For loving us enough to die on the cross and for your forgiveness of my sins. Help me to always be ready to forgive others just as you forgave me. Amen