So quickly we want to condemn others when they have hurt us. We allow that feeling of pain and then bitterness to creep into our hearts and we feel so justified in our anger or frustration. But do we ever really have the right to respond that way? Am I innocent of having fallen to the same crime for which I desire to condemn another? The root of nearly every act of inflicting pain or accusing another person with the intent of harm comes from a pride filled, self exalting heart. Can I say that I am 100% innocent of having ever done the same? The only one who could truly condemn another’s actions would be someone who has never themselves sinned. The only one truly innocent of sin is Jesus Christ; yet, He chose to bear the weight of my sin and to forgive me all my trespasses. Let’s look at two scriptures of Christ’s teachings that help to illustrate this.
Scripture #1:
John 8:
3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
Scripture #2:
21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Do we really understand the price Christ paid? Too often we underestimate God’s righteousness and justice, we underestimate His wrath toward sin. By thus doing we underestimate the price that Christ paid and we trivialize His death and crucifixion, we underestimate the pain He bore taking on God’s wrath for us. We fail to realize that we have over and over again broken the heart of Christ when we have denied Him, failed Him, spoken wrongly of Him, forgotten Him, ignored Him, failed to trust Him and have gone about our lives seeking counterfeit joys while ignoring the only true source of joy. Our selfish, pride filled hearts have injured Him a thousand times greater than anyone could have ever injured us; yet, He the perfect innocent lamb forgave us. The only way we bring Glory to His name is when we also learn to forgive others as He has forgiven us.
FORGIVENESS
by Effie Darlene Barba
Oh, Lord, how does this bleeding heart
So gripped with pain, forgiveness give
For acts that ripped my soul apart
By all they said and all they did
Your Joy, dear Lord, they stole from me
Confusion, chaos fills my mind
Only you can set me free
That I might stand and Thy light shine
So, take me back unto that cross
My selfish acts, your bleeding heart
That I might truly know Your loss
Forgiveness came at what a cost.
If I could see me as I am
Compared to perfect righteousness
So undeserving of this lamb
Who gave the final sacrifice
Oh, then Dear Lord I’d see mankind
Through eyes, your eyes filled with Your Love
Forgiving Spirit then I’d find
For every act, for every word
So, Let me have this heart of Yours
To reach a bitter world in pain
So joy, and love and peace out pours
To shine Your light of hope again.
Forgiveness comes from a humble heart who has taken the time to look from the outside in. When we see our own frailties it is easier to forgive others theirs.