The Gift of Forgiveness

"If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared" (Psalm 130:3-4)


Sometimes well-meaning believers proclaim that their anger toward something or someone is "righteous indignation." They may even note that Jesus Himself turned over the tables of the money-changers in the temple and often rebuked religious leaders.


Jesus was perfect, however, and we are not. The problem with our indignation and anger is that we often let it ferment until it spoils our hearts. When someone sins against us or wrongs us, it can be tempting to raise an eyebrow, tug our symbolic robes, and esteem ourselves better than our oppressor.


Too often, we worsen the situation by letting it simmer for long periods. One pastor compared this to buying beautifully ripe fruit, only to leave it in a bowl on the counter for a month. What once was vibrant and perfectly conditioned becomes bitter and rotten if left to ferment.


Forgiveness is God's gift to us through the shed blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. He expects us, in turn, to share forgiveness with those who sin against us. We cannot allow pride to dictate our reaction. It requires humility to give a gift as precious as forgiveness.


It is difficult to function in the present or look to the future when we are constantly looking back and weighing how we have been treated. God tells us not to let the sun go down on our anger, because He wants us to deal with it immediately.


Bitterness, wrath, and anger by products of failing to promptly deal with a problem. However, the timing of a tender heart is impeccable.


Lord, cleans me from bitterness, wrath, and anger. Help me to forgive others as You have forgiven me. Amen


~Charles Stanley~