Forgiveness


 

Forgiveness is a divine event whereby God no longer attributes our sins to us, but forgives us out of grace and mercy. It is an act of divine love and grace. Forgiveness enables reconciliation with God and also with other people.


1. Be ready to forgive

Don't wait for the guilty one to come and say, 'forgive me,' this causes unnecessary heartache. You guilty one, come quickly. Sometimes we wait for a very long time. A good example is Jacob and Esau in the Old Testament, the Bible. Jacob fled, he had to serve for many years until he finally came to his senses and repented. What a wonderful encounter when he fell upon his brother Esau's neck. After Genesis 32.

Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Colossians 3:13+14 (ESV)


Only as reconciled individuals do we have fellowship with one another and with Jesus Christ the Lord. And only as reconciled individuals do we have eternal security. After forgiveness, tranquility, peace, joy, and contentment return to life.


2. A permanently unyielding attitude

If we do not forgive, we will go into eternity un-reconciled. A pastor reports: I knew two brothers who lived in bitter conflict for years. They belonged to the same community and knew the same Lord, but they passed by each other like strangers. Then one of them fell gravely ill. He instructed me to ask his brother to come to his deathbed and reconcile with him in light of eternity. He said, 'I can't stand it this way any longer.' I knew that this request would encounter resistance from the other. But I was not prepared for what he replied: 'Tell my brother, I can hold out much longer!' I do not know how the man wants to be saved. (From Schäfer hears a parable)

Whoever God forgives can also say to his roommate or other people, forgive me. There is so much distress and misery in this world. Because people cannot forgive each other.


3. What does God's word say about that?

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:26+32 (ESV)

Forgiveness of all sin is the first and greatest act of God's mercy. In the distance from God, there is no true life. Life happened at the cross of Golgotha. There, Jesus' first words were: "Father, forgive them" according to Luke 23:34.



4. Be brave and confess your sins to God.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (ESV)

The Song of the Mercies of God, by David

Who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
Psalm 103:3-4 (ESV)


Whoever has come to terms with the guilt of the past in this way is free for a new chapter in life, is free for the future and any relationship. The guilt finds its answer in Christ and falls silent.


For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Hebrew 10:14 (ESV)

Our salvation was just the beginning of a creation process in our lives, which will only be completed in eternity. If you believe in the Son of God who died on the cross for your sins, then you have eternal life. According to John 5:24a.


Author: Egon Waechter
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