“Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”— Romans 12:19 (NIV)
Forgiveness is an act of the will. I recently talked to a person at church who told me, “I don’t feel like forgiving my friend.” She was obviously emotional and hurting and her pain was very real. After listening to her story and empathizing with her situation, I reminded her that forgiveness was not an option. In fact, we are commanded to forgive: “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” — Colossians 3:13 (NIV).
Corrie Ten Boom was a Dutch woman who was sent to a concentration camp in 1944 (for helping Jews escape from Holland). In exercising forgiveness toward a German who had been a former prison guard over her, Corrie shared these profound words: “But forgiveness is not an emotion—I knew that too. Forgiveness is an act of the will, and it can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.”
A key to embracing our forgiveness is to understand and accept God’s payment against us and against others for sin. He has paid for our sins with the precious blood of his Son. Which means He alone is Judge…and He has not granted us the power of attorney! “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.” Paul taught the Romans (12:17). Vengeance is to inflict injury in return for an insult. How many vigilante movies (like Rambo) show just that? But, vengeance is the Lord’s, not yours. We are not the instruments of God’s vengeance. We don’t have the right to retaliate.
Finally, we need to keep in mind that God will act to right all wrongs. He doesn’t say, “Just let it go.” All of Creation will rejoice when He comes to judge the earth. “He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.” — Psalm 98:9 (NIV). He is big enough to do it. He will repay.
Let’s commit ourselves to forgive those who have sinned against us. You will be so glad you did.
Resting in forgiveness,
Bill
Posted in A Word from the Pastor