Jesus' Shared Wisdom

3: Forgiveness

As an older brother, I have to deal with the irritating things my younger brother does. He screams/sings the most popular song on the radio that I'm often irritated by. He makes this odd popping sound in his mouth that drives me crazy. He takes the TV remote and turns on baseball, not letting me watch a show I want to watch. I could write a list of more irritating things my brother does and I'm sure that many of you reading have siblings that annoy you or know people you can't tolerate.

I understand that it is difficult to forgive a person for annoying you or sinning against you. It's difficult for me to tolerate and forgive my brother. But we must show forgiveness
to those who hate us, since it is the way of Jesus Christ.

Remember that Jesus came to Earth to die, forgiving humanity of its sins. He forgave us even though we sinned in every way possible. Although we turned away from the Lord and tried to live without him, Jesus forgave us and died for us. Like Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians, we must, "Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32)
By forgiving those who sin against us, we are acknowledging and demonstrating the forgiveness that Jesus Christ showed to us.

"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you."
(Luke 6:27)

So how often do we forgive others? In Matthew 18:21, we can see Peter ask Jesus this question when he asks, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" (Matthew 18:21)
Jesus answers by responding, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:22)
That's a lot of forgiving, but it is what Jesus asks of us. Although may it seem obnoxious and repetitive, we must forgive as many people as Jesus did when He died for us. We must forgive people as many times as Jesus forgives us for sinning daily.

By doing so, we prevent anger from damaging our relationships with people. By using kind words and performing kind actions of forgiveness, we show examples of what Jesus does for us. If we hold a grudge against people and withhold our forgiveness, we will make the situation worse and ruin our relationship with a person.

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
(Proverbs 15:1)

Be forgiving to your enemies, no matter what they do to you. Forgive them constantly, for it is the way of Jesus. By doing so, you love them the way Jesus loves you.

It's getting repetitive, I know, but if you learn a lot from this lesson, share it with those around you. Open them to the love of Jesus and share His Good News!