Wednesday Word

 

 

 

Forgiveness

 

 



 

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”  Luke 23:34

 

Isn't is easy to forgive someone when they did not purposely intend to hurt you. Maybe a friend said something that hurt your feelings but they truly did not mean to hurt you. Or, a child accidently breaks you favorite vase, you are disappointed but you easily forgive because it was an accident and you love them.

 

Father, help me to forgive when (whomever) really didn't mean to hurt me.  Father, I forgive them because they really didn't realize they did something wrong or hurtful.

 

Those are simple acts of forgiveness.

 

Yet, what happens when you are purposefully and intentionally hurt, betrayed or abused and the person is not remorseful?

 

Say a friend purposefully betrays a confidence, or a spouse intentionally calls you horrible names in front of 'the guys', or a family member physically abuses you. What do you do in those cases?

 

Do you have to forgive that offense?

 

Are we required to forgive?

 

 Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”  Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.  Matthew 18:21-22

Ouch Friends...

 

Yes, in our most painful moments, when someone has purposefully, intentionally, and even repeatedly choses to hurt us, betray us or even abuse us, we are instructed to forgive.

 

Father, not if, but when these hurts happen, work in my heart to not only forgive, but to see the offender with your eyes. Hold me accountable to your word and you truth. Amen!