WATCHWORD:
14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15
Meditation:
Unforgiveness?
Unforgiveness. Is that a thing? Is it a character trait? I started to think about that when I came across some writing that said, ‘one cannot have peace and love and harbor unforgiveness. I’m assuming that the meaning of unforgiveness relates to a person who finds it hard, even impossible, to love someone who has treated them badly, in their own estimation.
Maybe that person has promised one thing and never delivered. Maybe something was said and never apologized for. Whatever the reason, in unforgiveness we run counter to what Jesus has taught us when he gave us the Great Commandment. You remember that one, don’t you? Love the Lord your God with all your heart and your mind and your soul and love others as He loves you.
How do you love another as Jesus loves us? Remember Jesus, high on the cross, tortured and bleeding, collecting all our sins and forgiving each one of them, down to the nastiest one you are hiding. You know the one I mean. That kind of love is a high bar. We can’t achieve it, we can only aspire to it, day by day, and work on it.
But, follow this: Maybe you leave your house with broad smile on your face, at peace with the world, interacting in love with family, the whole array of friends, and, then, there, approaching, is the one you can’t stand. You turn and walk away, never resolving that matter, carrying on your back a tiny straw of unforgiveness.
Here is the thing about unforgiveness, even a small one, it begins to stink and has that strange characteristic of getting heavier and heavier the longer you carry it. It is contagious and spreads like a virus. Maybe you find it is hard to breath or to think clearly when near that person? Is this too graphic? Do you think I am overstating the impact of unforgiveness? Think again.
I may have forgotten, were there some people that Jesus could not forgive? I don’t remember that. I do know that he told us to love one another, that I do remember. but I don’t recall any exceptions. Now, if I love, than forgiveness becomes automatic. It’s just part and parcel of loving another. So, if you think I overstated the impact of unforgiveness, then I’m sorry, I must disagree. But I still love you.
A Prayer to Help You Forgive Others:
Father, only you understand how much I’ve been hurt by this person. I don’t want to carry the pain for another second. I don’t want to be a bitter person. But I need your grace and the power of the cross to release my hurt and to forgive those who’ve hurt me. This is the turning point. First, I need to experience your forgiveness. You know all the ways I’ve hurt others, and I’m so sorry for my sins. Jesus, thank you for dying for me. I accept your grace and forgiveness, and I need it daily. Today I’m turning to you, and I’m choosing to forgive the way you have forgiven me. Every time the memory comes back, I’ll forgive that person again until the pain is gone. Heal my heart with your grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen. (Rick Warren)
