Why Forgiveness?

Dear Reader,

Simple things can upset us. It is a fact that we over-react to many things that shouldn’t, mud on our clothes, running out of coffee at the house, mustard on your shirt, small jokes that some people make, or something someone did toward you.

It is a fact of life that we over-react to some things. And instead of responding with a peaceful manner we throw jabs, do silent things to get our point across, or just blow them off as trash at the bottom of the street drain. Forgiveness is the only remedy for these things. And it is the hardest of commandments to keep, but Jesus makes it clear that forgiveness is to be given to those who have sinned against you.

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

This will keep you in his will and give you JOY in life. When you hold onto anger you are poisoning the temple of God that is within you. When you accepted Christ you became the Tabernacle of the presence of God. You cannot allow sin to enter the tabernacle and defile that presence in your life. Don’t think of forgiveness as a gift to the other person but as a gift for yourself. You are not doing it for them but for yourself and for God.

-AW