Forgiveness Without Excuses

Verse of the day: Psalms 103:10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

"Amazing Grace"...how often we sing that hymn. However, do we realize, and truly appreciate, just how amazing God's grace really is? When we think of who we are, and what we have done; yet, God is still willing to show us grace, and mercy, when we deserve none of His goodness, and all of His wrath. We deserve no forgiveness for the sins we commit. We deserve condemnation for the way we dishonor God, and mistreat others. Even with all of that, God still does not deal with us according to our sins, nor rewards us according to our iniquities. With all that God has forgiven us for, what excuse do we have in not forgiving others? Eph 4:32 tells us to be kind to one another, forgiving as God forgave us in Christ. Therefore we are left without excuse when we refuse to forgive. Too many of us enjoy God's forgiveness for some of the most vile of sins; yet, we quickly condemn, and hold a grudge against those that offend us. In Matt 18:21-22, the Apostle Peter asked Jesus if he should forgive up to seven times. Jesus' response to Peter was "up to seventy times seven". In that chapter Jesus went on to use the parable of the unforgiving servant who was forgiven a great debt, yet refused to forgive someone who owed him a significantly lower debt than the one he was forgiven for. In the end, the master who forgave the great debt became angry, and punished the unforgiving servant. Before we hold bitterness in our hearts towards another, we must stop and consider what Ps 103 tells us about what we have received or not received for sinning against the Lord. I have heard some born again believers use the excuse that they are "only human", and that they just cannot forgive because of the nature of the offense committed against them. However, may I point our that Joseph was also "only human", and he was able to forgive his brother's for their great betrayal? Their betrayal led to his enslavement, imprisonment, but ultimately led to his position in Egypt, which was all part of God's plan for Joseph. Even when he was second in command of Egypt, and had opportunity for vengeance, he chose forgiveness. His response to them was that what they intended for evil, God meant for good (Gen 50:20). What a powerful response! What glory God received in Joseph's response! In Lk 17, Jesus tells His disciples that they are to forgive seven times in a day, when the offender repents for sinning against them (note that there was no exception for any particular sin mentioned). Our ability to forgive is connected to our faith, as Jesus goes on to explain to His disciples. The bottom line is that we, as God's children, have a duty to forgive (Lk 17:10). Forgiveness is not impossible. We have been forgiven, and the Holy Spirit in us will give us the strength we need to overcome any bitterness that may be residing in our hearts for any offenses committed against us. We must choose to let go, and trust God (have faith) for the outcome.