A news flash on forgiveness

“Pastor Adam, I’ve got a question?”

Question:  “How important is forgiveness and how important is making things right within the body of Christ?”

The short answer to the question is “very.”

In the context of the local church, our witness for Christ takes a hit when we don’t give forgiveness when wronged and when we don’t seek forgiveness when we have done wrong.  When we carry around the hurt of un-forgiveness, that Satan magnifies each day that resolution is not sought, it does a number on the Union church family.  We are playing right into his hand when we choose to not forgive or choose to not seek forgiveness. 

Here is some scriptural context:  Romans 12:17-21.

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.  Respect what is right in the sight of all men.  If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.  Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.  “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The Bible gives the command for Christians to act contrary to our sinful nature.  Our sinful nature says to hold onto that hurt.  Our sinful nature says to seek some form of revenge.  Our sinful nature says to hold unto un-forgiveness for some level of control in the situation.  God says to do just the opposite.  The Christian is to address the hurt.  The Christian is to let go of revenge into God’s hands and He will dispense it if it is needed.  The Christian is to respond toward the other in a forgiven state with actions of meeting basic needs.

How do I know if I am harboring something that needs to be forgiven of or forgiveness given?  Here are some questions.  Does the situation readily come to mind?  When you see that person does the event come into full view?  Do you rehearse in your mind what you would say?  Does your attitude and actions change toward the negative?  Do you go out of your way to avoid that person?  If you are answering “yes” to any of these questions then Satan has a grip on you that you should want to get rid of and fast.  Also, within the local church, the Apostle Paul would be putting your name in a letter to the church to resolve the issue like he did with Euodia and Syntyche in the church in Philippi.

As your pastor I would urge you to stop sweeping the situation under the rug and go to your Christian brother or sister and ask for forgiveness if you have wronged him or her or give forgiveness to those who have wronged you.  Stop holding onto something that God has told you to let go of.  Remember the only one telling you to keep ahold of it is Satan.   It will make a difference in light of the body of Christ here to start walking in the peace of forgiveness rather than walking in the pain of un-forgiveness. 

Pastor Adam