Musing – Why Should God Forgive Us If…?

Hebraic Musing – Why Should God Forgive Us If…?

Have you ever been hurt, insulted, mistreated, belittled…?  Of course you have.  That’s life and we’ve all been there.  Maybe that’s why Paul thought it important to tell us “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32   NIV   But aren’t we allowed to keep a little bit of bitterness, or is God telling us to get rid of “ALL” bitterness?  Does verse 32 remind us of the familiar “Red Letter” phrase stuck in the middle of our most famous Lord’s Prayer?  “Forgive us our sins, as we also forgive those who sin against us.” Luke 11:4 NLT

Where does bitterness begin?  “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.  "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” Ephesians 4:25-27   NIV

What does the bitterness of unforgiveness do to you?   It deprives you of Cheerfulness according to Proverbs: 
  - 15:13  “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.”
  - 15:15  “All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.”
  - 15:30  “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.”
  - 17:22  “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” 

So unforgiveness leads to a bitterness that causes health problems, but even more important it probably hinders ones witness, or ones willingness to witness.  Unforgiveness often grows into a grudge.  Have you ever heard that holding a grudge against someone is like drinking poison in order to hurt the other person?

How important is forgiveness?  Peter made the mistake of asking that question and he got an earful from Jesus – "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Matt 18:21 And Jesus responded with “Seventy-seven times”, or every-time!  And then Jesus went into a long parable about the servant being forgiven a big debt but in turn would not forgive a small debt owed him.  Reminds me of…  ♫  He paid a debt He did not owe, I owed a debt I could not pay…♫    What has God done for you?

Jesus gave us another important reason to forgive.  “But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matt 6:15

Those we love most can hurt us the most.  God’s love for us is perfect agape love, so how much hurt does He feel when one of His children misbehaves or rejects Him?  As parents we understand this parallel!

My personal challenge is to be “continuously forgiving”.  When hurt I confess to pouting, withdrawing, etc. (You know the reactions.)  How can I forgive continuously, even before being offended?  How can I avoid any feelings of anger or bitterness?  How to be “Continuously Forgiving”?  Should I wait until bedtime to pray forgiveness for those who offended us that day?  Or should we be in a state of “continual forgiveness”? 

If we forgive someone do we have to also trust them?  Simple answer – No.  Trust has to be earned; but forgiveness is a gift, like grace.  However, if we declare (even to ourselves) “I will never trust him”, are we effectively still holding a grudge?  Remember how God trusted us and forgave us, even after we resisted Him! 

Points to ponder

Forgiveness is a gracious and undeserved gift.  Yet, by grace we are saved.

How can we achieve “Continuous Forgiveness?

If two parties need to reconcile, the one closest to the Lord needs to take the first step.
(Are you willing to admit the other party is closer to the Lord than you?)

If I offended you with this musing, it is up to you to forgive me.  (>:

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          June 11, 2019  

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”   “insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com”