Poignant statement: He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself; for every man has need to be forgiven.
Subject: Forgiving and going beyond
Scripture: Genesis 50:15-21
How many times we have heard and also said to ourselves that we will forgive willingly because the Bible says so but then we face a real problem. The problem is what to do with our memory of hurt and loss. I have met those who have willingly forgiven the offenders but never met a man who says that he has not only forgiven but has absolutely no memory of the event of hurt. I also find hard to forgive but after forgiving find it hard to forget. This is the experience of all people. My feeble attempt in these few words perhaps will help those people like me who find hard to forgive and harder or even impossible to forget.
Let me give you a real example. A few years back I was almost mauled by a dog. The dog came for my throat but I was able to deflect his attack with both of my hands. However in the process I was bitten on my right wrist and the marks are still there for all to see. Every time I look at the mark I am reminded vividly of that incident and today I am very alert to all sorts of dogs. The mark has been a clear reminder that I was bitten by a dog and that I must be careful in future. Well, in my opinion forgiveness is similar. The mark of sad memory will never go away but that mark will be a reminder that you have forgiven a person and now you need to be careful with the relationship. You do not run away, do not deny, you do not reject or remind the person what hurt he has caused. But in future you will be alert and deal with the person very carefully.
When a person hurts you then you need to ask this simple question did I wrong the person in such a way that he is much against me and if so what can I do to remedy the situation? In fact when we find out that we have done something wrong then we need to quickly make amends because that way you will be able to minimize the impact and the whole issue of forgiveness may not be there too.
The story of Joseph is a classic example of not only forgiveness but going beyond forgiveness. Let us look at some great principles he followed in his life. By the way, it is possible that when he was thrown into a pit and sold as a slave, he was really angry with his brothers. It fact it is more likely and natural to feel that way particularly when you have not done anything wrong and the ones who hurt you are most close to you. But we see the Lord was with him and he was not only blessing him but also teaching him the whole purposes of God. In later years he could clearly see the magnificent and brilliant plan of God unfolding right in his presence. It took time to heal and learn from God.
When Jacob the Patriarch and Father died, the brothers were insecure and fearful of retribution. The godly example of Joseph was extremely sublime and today also from his life forgiving and going beyond forgiveness comes to us with a great challenge. Let us see what he says
– He clearly says that the brothers were wicked in dealing so badly with him. He does not hide the offence of the brothers. He speaks the truth in plain language.
– It was a plan of God all along which he could see as he lived his life in Egypt.
– All the unpleasant situations were rungs of a ladder to unfold the plan of God
– Now he is not only willing to forgive but also promises to keep providing the needs of the whole family.
– The man who suffered the most was now consoling and speaking kindly to his offending brothers. This is just unbelievable! No wonder the Bible Scholars liken him to the Lord Jesus Christ who on the cross said “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing”.
Beloved readers, my writing on this subject is not even touching the hem of the subject of forgiveness but it is written so that you can begin to live a life which has a ready forgiving heart. When we forgive we free ourselves from the tyranny of the ones who have offended us and we fly like an eagle and live a life of praise and worship all the days of our life.
Can we do this ourselves and the answer is emphatic ‘no’. Can the Lord help us do this and the answer is affirmative ‘yes’. He can as we yield ourselves to him and seek his grace. So we draw strength and forgive and go beyond forgiveness.
Poignant statement: He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself; for every man has need to be forgiven.
Thomas Fuller
Prayer: Lord, I not only forgive those who cause me hurt but let me have your grace to go beyond forgiveness so that I can actually be a blessing to the one who caused harm.
Republished in new layout on 8/20/2013
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