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REFLECTION

Forgiving your neighbours is the theme for our reflection. Forgiveness generally means to pardon a person by letting go of any resentment or a feeling of revenge against him or her for an offense he or she committed against you. The author of Proverbs admonished the Israelites that “Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.” (Proverbs 24:29). If we fail to forgive then an eye for an eye will make the whole world go blind.

It is important to note that there is a Christian’s understanding of forgiveness. The Christians definition of forgiveness is the act of letting go of the grudge or resentment you have against your neighbour because God first did same for you. In other words, “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12). Again “… God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

A person who is saved by grace through faith in Christ is a beneficiary of God’s forgiveness. If you have no reason to forgive a person who has offended you then consider your salvation. A person who is saved cannot hold grudge or refuse to forgive his or her neighbour. Forgiving your neighbour is a hallmark of Christianity,  it is the only way we live the words of Jesus on the cross when He said that “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). As a disciple of Christ, you must not forgive those who offend you just because they have come to apologize to you or show remorse. Indeed, whether or not an offender shows  remorse, you are required to forgive him or her simply because he or she is spiritually and morally ignorant and still living in darkness of sin.

Christians represent Jesus Christ who is the light of the world, therefore we must follow His example even if it is challenging and painful to do so. Yes, it’s sometimes difficult to forgive considering the enormity of the offense and the kind of person who has offended us but let us remember Paul’s confession when he wrote that “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20). You have to show an act of forgiveness and reconciliation today if truly you have been saved and have Christ in you. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32). Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, when we are hurt and abused by our neighbours (everyone we come across in life), strengthen us to forgive them because God first showed us mercy. Amen