Calendar

A FORGIVING HEART (VI)
LORD’S DAY, MAY 9
Ephesians 4:17-32

Romans 12:17-21

 

“…forgiving one another, even as God

for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

 

A FORGIVING HEART (VI)
 
Products. There is further encouragement for us in the consideration of the many blessed outcomes that may be produced by the manifestation of a forgiving heart. First of all, such a display of forgiveness can serve as a powerful witness to the transformation brought about through the gospel.
 
For example, the Apostle Paul exhorts the Ephesian believers to “walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,” and to “put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,” and to “put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Eph 4:17-24) ‒ after which he goes on to command, as one of the features of this new life, that believers should be “kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another” (v 32). Such a reflection of divine forgiveness can be a moving and effective testimony of the reality of the gospel offer; while a lack of willingness to forgive may tragically hinder a soul from coming to Christ.
 
In this way a willingness to forgive can be infinitely more fruitful than a willingness to revenge. This Paul makes clear when he commands, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath,” and then concludes, “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:19, 21). After all, if evil is met with revenge, all that can be hoped for is the destruction of the enemy. But with forgiveness, the hungering enemy finding himself fed may be forced to reconsider his enmity, and in this manner he may be won rather than destroyed: and so evil is overcome with good.
 
In addition to all this it is evident that a forgiving heart is a necessary component of peaceful, stable relationships. No marriage and no family can survive for long where there is no forgiveness! Dear reader, consider how Joseph was able to forgive his brethren, even after their wicked betrayal (cf. Gen 50:15-21) ‒ what would have become of that family, if he had instead been consumed by revenge? And what then would have become of the “Lion of the tribe of Juda” (Rev 5:5)?
 
THOUGHT: If I am to live in peace, I must learn to forgive.

PRAYER: Father, help me to “give place unto wrath”!

Search