Forgive? But they don’t deserve it!!

Ephesians 4:31 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Sometimes you read a portion of scripture and God speaks out so clearly you really can’t pretend not to have noticed what He was saying (yes, we all do it!) This chapter, Ephesians 4, is one of those. Paul speaks candidly about what is expected from a believer – the kind of behavior consistent with ‘living a life worthy of the calling we have received’ (verse 1). Go through it some time, you might need to write out some of those things and remind yourself daily… Ok, back to the focus of this post: verse 31 with particular emphasis on forgiveness.  

Paul writes that we should “…forgive each other…” which is where we would all like to stop but indulge me some and let’s complete the verse “…just as in Christ God forgave you.” That second part is quite something isn’t it? I read it this morning and was quite struck by it.

Me to self: We are supposed to forgive in the same way as you forgave us? Oh gosh Lord, that’s quite a tough one! I mean have you seen some of the people I am dealing with? God:  *pauses and raises His eyebrow* (yes – I like to dramaticize our conversations) *immediately my mind is taken back to who I used to be, and not just me, I’m quickly reminded about the weight of the sins of the world that was what was put on Christ!* Me: Uh well… I suppose… I should forgive, just as you forgave me. *tough one to swallow*

We are supposed to be ambassadors of God on earth – we are citizens of heaven, in earthly bodies… (We’re in this world, not of it) If we behave and handle people in the same way heathen do, how will anyone be able to tell the difference? (Matthew 5:47).  Our attitude in forgiving based on this verse therefore should be:

*We should forgive people in representation of God and His Kingdom;

*We should forgive people when they are least deserving (while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us – Romans 5:8). Hence the excuse: ‘She/he didn’t even say sorry!’ should not even feature. Choose to forgive regardless of their attitude;

*We should forgive people even when we are ‘sure’ they will slip up a couple more times – think about how often YOU have slipped up. God knew (and knows) that we will (and do) mess up sometimes and yet still chose to forgive us;

*We should forgive people even when they have the worst track record – it’s not about them, rather about you extending compassion and graciousness to them like God does to (and for) us;

*We should forgive because God has asked us to. We ought to walk in obedience.

I’m not completely clueless – some situations are harder to let go of and offer forgiveness because of the extent of betrayal and hurt the person(s) may have caused. Even then however, He has instructed us to forgive. His word says His grace is sufficient for us and in our weakness (for example, finding it hard to forgive), His strength is made perfect (2^nd Corinthians 12:9). He gives His (all-sufficient) grace to forgive too. Ask Him to enable you to forgive and leave the consequences to Him:

Romans 12:19 "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.