(Colossians 3:13)
William Arthur Ward said this: "We are most like beasts when we kill, We are most like men when we judge. We are most like God when we forgive."
Of all the responses of the human heart, forgiveness is one of the hardest to implement. We would rather find ways to get even, or show a cold shoulder. We would rather determine to never have anything to do with the individual, or party that hurt us, than to forgive, and work on reconciliation.
The blessing of forgiveness is that it gives one who is hurt a release from anger, bitterness, and despair. When we choose not to forgive, we are the ones who will carry this negative baggage with us. And it can get very heavy to carry.
If we as Christians are to be like Christ, than the Apostle Paul's statement should really open our eyes to the need of forgiveness.
Paul said: "even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do."
We need to remember that as Christians, we are forgiven people.
And if it were not for that forgiveness, there would be no hope for us in the future. (Matthew 6:14-15)
What peace will come when we choose to be like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and forgive those who have hurt us. We hope that those who we have hurt will forgive us, so that we can have the love and the unity the Lord wants us to have! GP
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