As the year goes by there are many times we cross paths with people and things are said or done that we don’t like. They create animosity and separation. They become burdens. We carry that burden and it eats away at us. There is a way to release those burdens. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Have you ever done something wrong? Seems like a simple question with a simple answer, but why do we forget that when it comes time to forgive someone else for a mistake they made? Forgiveness is something we want to receive but many times are not as willing to give. When we can truly forgive we release the hate that burdens us.

Let me set the record straight, we all make mistakes. We all make choices that seem right at the time but in retrospect they were not the correct ones. Why have we become a society that has developed a less forgiving attitude? Zero tolerance is not the right way to deal with mistakes. God made a provision for our forgiveness. Are we better than God?

Looking back I can remember several situations that created anger and frustration. At the moment when they occurred it seemed so much hinged on them. After a little time passed their significance waned and we moved on. Those are the ones that are easy to deal with; other situations take on a life of their own.

Some situations never seem to be dealt with so they linger and fester. These types affect relationships and are the most destructive. No matter what the situation was, or the intent, when mistakes are made they need to be corrected. We need to take responsibility for them and seek forgiveness. Then we need to forget about it and move on.

But the ones that create the greatest burden are the ones that we don’t feel are mistakes but that are done intentionally. They are choices that are made to get back at someone or start something new. Those are the most difficult burdens to release.

Forgive and forget; a familiar refrain, but one of the most difficult things for us to do. Some of the comments you hear when you try to encourage others to release the burden of holding a grudge; We want to get back at the person who wronged us.

We have a need to get even.

We have our rights and no one is going to take advantage of us.

We say that we forgive but we will never forget.

We tend to be unforgiving people when it comes to others, but we want to be forgiven when it comes to us.

Let’s take a look at what God says about this issue. God’s rules never change and His standard is always the same. God does not accept our mistakes, no matter what our intent was. God is right and just and mistakes are not something that God can accept. God says all mistakes are the same; big or small doesn’t matter, all mistakes fall into the category of sin, missing the mark. We all have made them and all will have to pay the penalty.

Romans 8:23; There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

And the penalty is the same;

Romans 6:23a; For the wages of sin is death,

But look at the rest of that verse and we start to see what God intends for us.

Romans 6:23b; but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.           

God said I will make a way for your burden to be released and for you to be forgiven; I will send My Son, Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for you.

John 3:16-18; “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Jesus was the ultimate peacemaker. He gave his life so that we could have peace with God. He gave his life to release our burden. He came, suffered, died and rose again so that the penalty for our sin would be paid in full. We can receive that payment by accepting it. It is a gift from God.

Ephesians 2:8-9; For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works, so that no one can boast.

God provided this opportunity for forgiveness and we can receive it by accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. When we do we make peace with God, we restore our relationship with Him; our sin is forgiven and remembered no more.

As the seasons change, take a look back and see if there are some people you need to forgive. We are expected to forgive as God forgave us, not because we deserve it but because He loves us. Forgive not because they deserve it, but because God forgave you.

We cannot experience the full blessing of God if we refuse to forgive others. Our unwillingness to forgive implies that our standard is greater than God’s. That is not correct; God’s standard is the only one that counts. If God is willing to forgive you there is no reason we could have for not forgiving others.

Make that commitment this week. Commit that you will go to the people you have refused to forgive and forgive them. Don’t worry if they refuse to accept it, many have refused to accept the forgiveness that God offers. We are not called to make people accept our forgiveness, but to offer the gift. Offer that gift to someone today.

Blessings,

Pastor Don