A Word of Encouragement | When We Forgive, it Sets US Free...and Brings us into Obedience
Good morning, men.
Patti and I are grateful for our time on the road the past couple of weeks, and we come back refreshed and invigorated by the sights we've seen (God's creation is stunning!) and the experiences we've shared.
I am thankful for your faithfulness, as Chris has told me of the edifying times you've spent together in my absence. I can't wait to join you again THIS WEEK! Speaking of this week, look for a preview email later today or this evening for our next lesson.
As men who desire to be right with God, here's something I want you to consider:
Have you been hurt? I have.
Have you been offended? I have.
Have you been treated unfairly? I have.
I'd guess that all of us can answer "yes" to all of those questions. I want you to know that the pain, betrayal, and even anger you've felt as a result are not uncommon.
If you, like me, were hurt, offended, and treated unfairly in the context of a local church, the sting can go deeper and burn hotter, too.
So, what are we to do, other than acknowledge the pain?
First, here is what we cannot do:
- We cannot seek or entertain revenge.
- We cannot harbor hatred.
- We cannot NOT forgive.
Notice that last one, there? We CANNOT not forgive.
I confess to you that until recently, I had been harboring unforgiveness toward a brother in Christ, and had been doing so for quite some time. The injury that my wife and I suffered at his hands were real, but thanks to a recent message by Pastor Chris, followed by additional guidance from the Spirit of Christ via a message from the late R.C. Sproul, I became convicted of this: no matter how real the injury or offense...no matter how unjust the treatment I suffered...that does not excuse my own disobedience.
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. ~ Romans 8:28 (NASB)
If that is true, and it is, then for me to remain angry or bitter about ANY experience is to doubt God's sovereign goodness toward me.
I was also reminded that scripture explicitly commands me to forgive, in several places:
- Mark 11:25-26
- Ephesians 4:31-32
- Matthew 6:12
- Colossians 3:13
Of course, those are but a few examples of what the Scripture says about the requirement to forgive others.
Thankfully, the scripture also speaks of the help that comes from God when we choose to forgive others:
- John 14:26-27
- 1 Peter 5:7
- Philippians 4:13
- 2 Corinthians 12:9
- Proverbs 3:5-6
Finally, the Spirit reminded me that the grand total of all offenses perpetrated against me amount to "diddly squat" compared to my offenses toward Him, for which He has freely forgiven me:
Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. Hebrews 12:3-4
And that maybe...just maybe...considering His sovereign goodness toward me, He might be using offenses and injuries to rub some sin off of me...to sanctify me:
It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:7-11
What shall we say to these things? How shall we respond?
- Repent of the sin of unforgiveness.
- Forgive the offender(s).
- Pray earnestly for their well-being.
I am in the midst of this, but I already feel free.
I urge you to consider these things.
Who is it that's hurt you?
- A Pastor or other church leader?
- Your wife?
- Your children?
- Your friend?
- Your employer, employee, or co-worker?
- Any other human being?
You have no choice but to forgive them.
Until the nets are full,
Tommy Alderman