Forgiveness
Luke 15:22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Elder Randy Bowen
FORGIVENESS: The word “forgive” means to wipe the slate clean, to pardon, to cancel a debt and grant a full amnesty (give the person a chance to recuperate the trust you once had without making them relive the situation on occasion). It is important to remember that forgiveness is not granted because a person deserves to be forgiven. Instead, it is an act of love, mercy, and grace.
In Luke 15:22, we must understand forgiveness is a celebration because the person asking for forgiveness has come to the realization they have sinned against heaven and earth. The prodigal son realized in verse 15-16 that he made a huge mistake by leaving the comfort, protection and provision of his father’s house and he needed to return home. The Lord doesn’t leave us; we get out of his will and find ourselves in a world of hurt. As the forgiver, forgiveness starts in your heart and not in your mind. If you notice the father did not ask for an explanation or the details of what happened in that far off country. Sometimes knowing the details of the offence runs the risk of you the forgiver hardening your heart toward the offender, creating an atmosphere of judgment, hatred, revenge and bitterness.
Jesus taught us this lesson on the cross when he said “Forgive them Lord for they know not what they do.” Ask yourself if Jesus was keeping a scorecard of all the sins you have committed would he continue to be merciful to you? The father imitated Jesus as he ran out and opened his arms and accepted his long lost son. Running out signifies he was anticipating his return and to let people know his son was welcome back home. The father realized his prayers were answered when his son returned home. Saints regardless of whatever sin was committed against you, forgiveness should be easy to us as Christians because the offender realized their transgression against you. Like Jesus, we must grant our transgressors mercy and compassion through grace. Jesus already paid the debt by giving up his life on Calvary’s rugged cross whereby we all have the chance for redemption. All we have to do is go home.
The bible says in Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” Forgiveness is also an essential part of our responsibility toward others, both friends and enemies. Ephesians 4:31-32 says, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
Elder Shari Bowen
What does it mean to forgive? Have you ever done something wrong or against someone, and you know it wasn’t right. There comes a time in life when we get to the point and have to ask for forgiveness. Sometimes, people we are in relationship with (spouse, father, mother, sister, brother, co-worker) won’t come to us seeking forgiveness. As a characteristic of Christ, it is up to us to exercise forgiveness regardless of the situation. In the scripture Luke 15:22, the son was just returning from squandering his inheritance. This is not the focal point of today’s word. With forgiveness, what happened is not important. I know you may be wondering how that can be said. When people wrong you I know it hurts, feelings and emotions overtake us and we begin to question how something so wrong could happen to us.
Why me, how could that happen to me, how could you do this to me? We easily forget, Christ, who took so much more for our sakes, while we were not on good terms with him- still in a sinful state. If you can imagine being in an argument with your spouse and while you are most heated, he/she does something to show love. The emotions don’t match our natural response. When we want to walk on a spiritual level, we have to set aside every weight that so easily beset us (Hebrews 12:1). All of the natural emotions have to get out of the picture so we can forgive. In Luke 15, the father did not only forgive- the scripture never said he did, but his actions are what let us know he forgave. The thought to take with you today is that forgiveness is an uncomfortable necessity. It is easier said than done, and usually the ones we have the most problem forgiving are those closest to us. We see the relationship mentioned in the bible was one of the closer relationships in life; between father and son. We like to say we forgive, but we continue to remind those who wronged us.
Remember, forgiving is an action and must be followed with actions. Keep in mind throughout today Acts 13:38, “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.
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