Here
recently, I came to the grim reality I have not truly forgiven some people for
unkind words and behaviors that have been directed at me. I have been civil. I have been polite. On occasion, I have even cared to see them
hurting…a little. But I recently had the
opportunity to show kindness to someone who had hurt me – and I refused the
chance.
It is so much easier to forgive
people who ask for forgiveness than to forgive people who refuse to even admit
they wronged you. Nevertheless, God did
not command us saying, “Forgive others – but only if they apologize
for hurting you!” In Colossians 3:13, we are commanded to forgive
others as Christ forgave us. We
are to forgive others if they accidentally hurt us. We are to forgive others if they deliberately
hurt us. And, yes, we are to forgive others
even if they do not apologize for either.
Though Jesus was innocent, He was
tortured to death on the cross for your sins and for my sins. No one apologized for stripping off His
clothes; for falsely accusing Him; making fun of Him; spitting on Him;
puncturing His scalp with thorns; hitting Him in the face; tearing at the flesh
on His back with whips; or driving nails into His hands and feet. And yet, immediately after being crucified on
the cross, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know
what they do.” In light of all
He suffered because of our sins, what a small thing He asks
of us to forgive others as He as forgave you and me!
Colossians 3:12-13
Therefore,
as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness,
humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another,
and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even
as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
Suggested
Prayer
Father, I praise You for Your Word promises
You are Faithful and Just to forgive us of all unrighteousness when we confess
our sins. I thank You for Your Son,
Jesus Christ, who endured the most unspeakable torment because of my sins - so
I could be forgiven of those sins!
Father, I confess I have been withholding forgiveness from
____________. By the power of the blood
Jesus spilled for my sake, I pray the curse of unforgiveness would be broken in
my life. By the power of Your Holy
Spirit, enable me to truly release those who have deliberately wronged me
without apologies. When I am tempted to walk in unforgiveness, remind me of all
You suffered for my sake. Remind me of
the ways I have continued to hurt You and yet still receive Your
forgiveness. Allow me to taste the
blessing of being able to pray sincerely, “Father, forgive them, for they know
not what they do.”
In
Jesus name…Amen
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