Eye Opener
Forgiveness is Christ's instruction
Forgive means to give up resentment or claim to requital on account of an offense; to remit the penalty of. This is Webster's definition of forgive. To God, forgiveness is remembering no more our sins, thrown into the deep seas and buried into oblivion. The Holy Week, is the memorable time to forgive somebody whom we have hurt and done wrong. Jesus said in Matthew 6:14, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." Christians know very well God's teaching on forgiveness. Many unbelievers who are not yet with Christ Jesus and have not received Him as their personal Lord and saviour, it is rather difficult to impart to them the divine purpose of forgiveness. Jesus Christ will soon come and many true Christians believe that through the sophisticated wonders of technology, many unsaved souls have been reached by the Word of God through television, radio, mass media the church and missionaries and workers of God spread throughout the remotest part of the world. When that time comes, Jesus is sure to come.
Many unbelievers though have not heard God's message through the Holy Bible, are quick to forgive the trespasses of their enemies. Likewise, a number of Christians who go to church almost daily and have read the Word of God could hardly forgive their fellow Christians and the unbelievers. Jesus said in Luke 6:35, "Love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil."
When Jesus was hanging on the Cross of Calvary, and the Roman soldiers were mocking Him including sinners, Jesus who was agonizing on the Cross said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." Luke 23:34. How much more human beings who were created in the image of God cannot forgive their fellowmen, what will be their reward in heaven? In Psalm 32:1, "Blessed is he whose trespasses is forgiven, whose sin is covered." When God, the all powerful, all knowing and all present God can forgive man's sins, what is that man is unmindful of?
People especially Christians should know how to forgive their fellowmen and this mandate by God is even recited by Christians in their daily prayer "...as we forgive those who trespasses us." Is it really difficult to forgive if you are a Jesus Christ follower? The Word of God is an instruction book according to Rev. Dr. Charles Stanley, a regular preacher over television ministry. The Bible is the basic instruction of God before living earth. Read the Bible this Lenten Season daily and discover the miracle teachings of God.