The beauty of Forgiveness

The beauty of Forgiveness: Pastor Richard Lee

On Sunday at CDC, we had the honor of Pastor Richard Lee preach on the beauty of forgiveness.

To be forgiven is such sweetness that honey is tasteless in comparison, yet there is something even sweeter, to forgive …………..

Based on the principle that “It is more blessed to give than to receive”, likewise, to forgive is far greater than to be forgiven.

Immediately after our Lord Jesus taught His disciples how to pray in the majestic Lord’s prayer, he exclaimed:-

 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15

It is the calling of every Christian to forgive – it is our most important basic Christian quality. If we do not forgive, we will not be forgiven - this is completely clear from the Words of our Lord.

Furthermore, it is our calling not only to tolerate our enemies but to love them, and to pray for them. In the most supreme example for us to follow, our Lord Jesus prayed for the forgiveness of those who crucified Him as He suffered intensely on the cross beyond what any human could imagine. God forgave us when we were his enemies, sacrificing His own Son on the cross that we might be reconciled to Him!

In the parable of the unmerciful servant, we are told the story of an unmerciful servant who refused to forgive his fellow servant although he himself had been forgiven a far greater debt. In judgment of him, his Master declared:-

“Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. Matthew 18:33-34
And Jesus declared as the conclusion of the parable:-
"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." Matthew 18:35

Bitterness and unforgiveness damage the offended much more than the offender. Sleeplessness, high blood pressure and various health problems are all related to bitterness and unforgiveness. A revengeful heart will only destroy ourselves. Indeed, life, peace and joy cannot reside in an unforgiving heart. And when we forgive, we should do so as soon as possible, before the sun goes down in our anger.

Pastor Richard told us the story of a poor, bitter lady who tragically contracted HIV from her own husband, and was severely mistreated by her parents-in-law. To provide for her children, she became a prostitute, and in her bitterness, sought to infect as many as possible with her deadly disease. As she lay dying in bed as the disease ravaged her, a Christian social worker came to her and shared the forgiveness of Christ which was available for her. Touched that all her sins could be forgiven, she accepted the Lord, and miraculously, her health began to improve and she was moved to a welfare home. And then one day, she said “I forgive them all for Christ’s sake.” She had finally understood.

It is so important for us to realize the ultimate reason that we forgive, it is for Jesus. Only be looking at Him and depending on His Strength, can we really forgive from the bottom of our heart.

In conclusion, Pastor Richard shared what God revealed to him from Matthew 5:23-24.

Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Forgiveness is an act of worship…….. God will not accept the praises from an unforgiving heart. Before we come to church to worship, we need to search our hearts, and release all bitterness and unforgiveness from us before we worship God.

May the Lord give us the strength and wisdom to forgive, not by human might or power, but in the glorious name of Jesus, for our Lords’ sake.

God bless.

Jason