Why do we, who have received so much grace from God, judge those who offend us and feel so justified in withholding forgiveness? Remember, true forgiveness means our heart desires the same good things for our offender that we want for ourselves. Isn’t our lack of forgiveness really related to how quickly we forget the immense measure of grace God has given us? We forget we are one of the “ALL [who] have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) We were ALL the enemies of Christ, yet—He chose to die for us! Before we obtained God’s FREE gift of salvation, we were ALL destitute, filthy, blind beggars wandering hungry, cold, and naked, bound for the yawning chasm of destruction.
We were completely without the ability to help ourselves.
But God, in His great mercy, called us—while we were His enemies—and invited us to become His children. When we accepted, He pardoned all of our crimes against Him, and gave us the keys to His kingdom.
His righteousness became ours.
His blessings belong to us.
WE are joint-heirs with Christ!
When we remain consistently aware that we are great beneficiaries of grace, we humbly desire good for even our worst enemies because we know their offenses are no greater than ours. Jesus said:
“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)
God’s grace should completely change how we treat those who offend us. No one was more innocent than Jesus; yet, He had compassion on the very people He was going to die for—fishermen, lawyers, doctors, pharisees, beggars, lepers, adulteresses, tax collectors, thieves, murderers, and even the “good” people.
When we love our enemies we demonstrate OUR love for God and HIS love for us!
To love those who offend us, is to love like God loves.
“I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.”
Philemon 1:4-7
To learn more about Kimberly Faith and the mission of Faith Strong, click HERE.
Out Now – Essential Faith, Volume II. Find it on Amazon by clicking HERE.
