Do I really need to forgive ?

Many times in my life have I heard people say: ‘I can’t forgive him’ or you don’t know what they did to me’. And it is true, I may know their story, but I don’t know the depth of the hurt. We may not all have the same story, but we can identify with emotions of loss and hurt simply because we have lived on this planet called earth.  What we do know is that we have to be tolerant of one another and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint against another.

Well, you may ask why do I have to forgive somebody that hurt me so deeply? We have to forgive, not because they deserve it. We need to forgive, because we are also in need of forgiveness – you and I may have hurt many people as well. We need to forgive, not because we are better, but because Jesus has forgiven you and me. We did not deserve it, matter of fact we were still enjoying our sin when He forgave us. We gave him no reason to forgive us – it was only because He loved us. And He made a choice to forgive those who have hurt Him so much.

Col 3:13,14  Be tolerant of one another and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, you also should forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which ties everything together in unity.

Prayer

Lord, Help me to forgive even if I don’t want to. Amen.