Forgive

October 21st, 2008

Last Sunday a group of us went down to the beach, enjoying the beautiful weather.  We were standing chatting together on the grass when a large dog came along, cocked its leg and went to toilet down Ben’s trousers.

We couldn’t believe it!  For a moment we stood there in astonishment, and then looked around for the owner. She had seen what had happened, but walked on with her head down, obviously embarrassed but with no apology forthcoming.

Have you been hurt, abused, bullied, overlooked or ridiculed?  Are you keeping a track of old scores?  Are you just waiting for the right time to retaliate and get your own back? Then forget it.   God says don’t insist on getting even; don’t seek revenge. Let God sort it out. Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.

When we grasp the depth, the significance, the agony, the cost of Christ’s death on the cross to enable us to be forgiven, we begin to understand the importance of forgiving others. Let’s beware of a superficial view of forgiveness. Our forgiveness was gained at enormous cost. Jesus said: Forgive, and then you will be forgiven.  But if you don’t forgive, then your Heavenly Father will not forgive you.

David Thatcher
 

Filed under: Thought of the Week