Walk Of Life – Day 21 March 2022 – March With The Words Of Jesus Christ
March As Forgiving One Another
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. Matthew 5: 21-26
Forgiveness is letting go of the hurt or ill feeling against a person who has harmed you even though he/she may not deserve it. Today the whole world needs to practice forgiveness and letting go of grievances against one another whether it is personal, spiritual or political. Lack of a forgiving heart only leads to anger that builds from within and destroys the peace of mind which in turn affects the health of the person who is hurt.
The seriousness of not having a forgiving heart comes with great consequences.
1. We will be subject to God’s judgment. Matthew 5:22
We all understand that God judges us justly for our sins. But to God all sins are alike, murder and lying both are equal in God’s sight. There is nothing like a big sin or a small sin. The Pharisees teaching focused on more external and visible matters. But Lord Jesus emphasized that the matters of heart is what God looks into. Even a thought of murder or calling a brother ‘Raca’ meaning empty or worthless in anger will equally put us in contempt in sight of God.
2. God won’t accept our gifts. Matthew 5:23, 24
Sometimes people live like a mirror that has two faces. One life that displays a God fearing attitude. And the other side carry on doing worldly things unacceptable to God. Our services in the church nor our gifts to God will ever serve as justification of bad relationships that we have with one another. He expects us to first reconcile with our brother and then only serve him.
3.We will not be forgiven by God. Matthew 6:14
When Peter had a doubt about how many times we need to forgive a brother. Lord Jesus told a story of how a king was merciful in forgiving his servants debts. But the forgiven servant did not show the same mercy to his servant who had to repay him some debts. When the king came to know of this he punished the wicked servant and put him to prison. Lord Jesus ends the story saying that if we do not forgive our brothers from our heart, we too will lose the forgiveness of God that we received on the Cross of Calvary.
4. Satan will gradually destroy our spiritual life. 1 Peter 5:8
In I Corinthians 5 we see how Paul disciplines a brother who had sinned by committing adultery by expelling from the church. In verse 11 he warns the church not to associate with the sexually immoral, greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. Here his intention was not to throw him out of the church. Rather he hoped that the emptiness caused by isolating this sinner from the believers will drive him to repentance. When this brother had repented, Paul urges the brethren in II Corinthians 2 to accept this brother back to the church by showing forgiveness, love and comfort so that Satan will not outwit them as we are unaware of the devil’s schemes.
Romans 5:8 says “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
We always need to remember that we all deserve to die for our sins, yet God has been merciful in forgiving us and he has promised to sanctify and keep us blameless till we reach our eternal home. But if we do not forgive and settle matters while on earth, then we will be judged in the court of heaven and punished for the smallest sin we have committed. Therefore do not be self-righteous and be quick to re-affirm your love by forgiving one another.
