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HELEN SANDERS
2-23-2023
THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS
Every one of us has been offended at one time or another. What we do with that offense will determine the next stage of our lives.
Jesus told Peter that he must forgive “seventy times seven” in one day. (Matthew 18:22.) The disciples were ordinary people. They were fishermen, tax collectors, former disciples of John the Baptist, and farmers. They were not theological experts. They were just like you and me. They had their issues with each other.
James and John were called “sons of thunder,” which indicates that they had a short fuse and blew up often. Possibly Peter was rash in his decisions and spoke when he should have listened. They were just like us. Jesus had them in training, but they often had disagreements.
When Peter asked Jesus about forgiving it might have been because there was an issue with someone.
Do you have issues with others? Has someone offended you, but you keep holding on to that offense? It is not a good place to be. One of the things that affected me most about Jesus was on the cross, in his agony, in his passion, he said, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34.) If he could do that with all the sin of mankind placed on him, certainly we can forgive also. We must remember it is the spirit behind an offense that causes issues. It is not the person. It is the spirit controlling that person.
Forgiveness not only frees others, but it frees us also. It keeps us from being turned over to the tormentors. (Matthew 18:34.) Forgiveness is the greatest gift you can give someone because it comes from a heart of love, like the love Jesus had for us.
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