FORGIVE US…AS WE FORGIVE OTHERS
Sunday, October 16th, 2011
It is easy (I hope) to forgive the rotten boss who favors another person over you, in spite of the quality of your good work.
It is easy to forgive the rude sales clerk, who shortchanged you at the cashier register, and then you go back and she is apologetic.
It is easy to forgive your own kids when they mess up, because we love them.
It is easy to forgive or be forgiven, by a spouse for an entire list of offenses…and on and on!
What about the drunk driver who killed your only son? It happened to my close friend and fellow minister, Nate (not his real name). A drunk driver killed his 25 year old son in Pittsburg in 2008. Nate, a powerful servant of Christ, went through all kinds of emotions, anxiety, trauma, tears and more.
During the trial for the drunk driver, less than two years, ago, when Nate forgave the woman who killed his son in court, it made the news in Pittsburg. More importantly, it lifted a burden of pain off him, which only Christ can do.
The hurt and pain are still there, but the forgiveness Nate showed accomplished two things – he allowed the Power of God to free him AND he gave that young scared woman, a chance at redemption!
What Nate did here, was what Jesus Christ would have done! Remember what He said from the Cross “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do!”
As we look at the next two phrases in our in depth study of the LORD’s Prayer, think about what I just said above.
