Forgiveness

How do we forgive? If someone does wrong to us, do we want them to face justice for what they have done?

Are we willing to take justice from God for the wrongs we have done?

If we are willing to take justice from God for the wrongs we have done, than we are asking Him to give us the death sentence, for we all have sinned, and the wages of sin is death.

"For the wages of sin is death…" - Romans 6:23

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" - Romans 3:23

God in His mercy, does not want to give us the death we deserve. He wants to give us life, and He was willing to suffer and die in our place in order to give us life.

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." - Romans 6:23

He gives us eternal life by the gospel. When we repent of our sins, and are baptized in Jesus name, our sins are remitted. He even gives us the gift of His Holy Spirit.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38

Our sins are washed away by His blood.

"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood," - Revelation 1:5

God forgives us. He does not give us justice, but instead He gives us mercy.

If we want to keep the great gift of His mercy, we must be merciful.

"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." - Matthew 5:7

Why should we turn God’s mercy away from us by our cruel actions [unforgiveness] towards others?

Jesus told of the servant who, like we were forgiven the great debt of our sins, was forgiven a great dept. Instead of forgiving his fellow servant of a very small debt, he wanted justice for him. He received great mercy, but had a cold heart and gave out justice instead for his fellow servant.

This is what Jesus said about this servant.

"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: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?" - Matthew 18:32-33

Because the servant did not forgive his fellowservant of the very small amount he owed (he laid hands on him, took him by the throat demanding his money, would not forgive him even though his fellowservant begged him, then threw him into prison until he paid), the servant's enormous debt was put back on him: it was no longer forgiven.

"And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him." - Matthew 18:34

This is what Jesus had to say about the unforgiving servant.

"So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." - Matthew 18:35

If we really think about the huge debt of sin God has forgiven us of, and if we are filled with His Spirit, we will shine the light of His love and forgive others. We will give them mercy, as God has given us mercy, instead of justice.

Forgiving others is for our own good, in more ways than one.

We have been forgiven completely by God. Our sins have been erased from our record, when we repented and were baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of our sins.

If we want complete forgiveness, this is how we should forgive.

Stephen is an example of forgiving others completely.

Stephen was baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy Ghost.

"And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people." - Acts 6:8

There were some that rose up against Stephen, disputing with him, stirring up the people, bringing him to the council, and setting up false witnesses against him.

When Stephen gave his testimony of Jesus, the leaders were furious and went into a rage. They threw him out of the city.

"And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep." - Acts 7:59-60

{“fell asleep” = he died, but would awake to eternal life in the resurrection}

Stephen was innocent, yet they killed him. He did not ask God for justice. In fact, Stephen went beyond forgiving the people that stoned him to death: he asked God to not charge them with this sin.

Stephen did not want God to take vengeance on these people for their sin against him. He said, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge”. Stephen wanted God to totally erase this from their record, not charging them for his murder.

This is mercy. This is true forgiveness.