Forgiving Others As Christ Forgives Us

Sometimes it seems all too easy to feel bitter towards someone that has wronged us.  It is very easy for us to want to seek revenge on someone that has hurt us.  We want to hurt those who hurt us and we may even want to take it a step farther.  The Lord Jesus tells us we ought to forgive those who wrong us.  He also says that we ought to turn the other cheek. 

We must remember of how much grace the Lord showed us on the Cross.  We must remember what great mercy that the Lord Jesus bestows upon us each and everyday.  The Lord wants us to love our neighbors as ourselves and that means we need to show mercy and grace to them as the Lord has shown it to us.  It isn't an easy thing for us to do at times because some of the things people has done to us really hurt.  Sometimes they hurt like a very bad word someone once told me and that is a very true statement.

We are not good judges of people, but the Lord is for He is the Just Judge.  We are to let the Lord be the judge of others.  He alone knows people's hearts and motives.  He alone knows how to reach each person with conviction.  We believers in Jesus Christ are not to convict people of their sin that is the Holy Spirit's job.  Our job is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and live in a way as not to be tarnished by the world. 

Matthew 5:38-42 says,

"38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’^a

39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.

40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.

41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.

42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."                           

The Lord Jesus raises the bar for us again with this text of Scripture.  We are not to seek revenge for the wrongs committed against us, but we are to release them into the Lord's care and do good to them.  The Lord is the Just Judge and revenge is all His in His timing and in His way.  The Lord's Judgment is guaranteed to be the right Judgment.

Let us remember the grace that the Lord Jesus showed us by dying on the Cross for our sins and let us show such grace and mercy to those whom have wronged us.  Let us no longer be bitter, but let us love others as the Lord so greatly loves us.

My Pastor, Dennis Ashley, preached a message on this text this morning and I have included a link to the audio version of that sermon right here:

https://soundcloud.com/dcashley/170423-sermon-an-eye-for-an-eye?fb_action_ids=10211658800641562&fb_action_types=soundcloud%3Apublish

Lord,

Help us to show mercy and grace to those who have wronged us.

Help us to let go of bitterness and anger.

You are the Just Judge.

Teach us how to love one another.

Empower us to forgive others through Your Spirit.

In Jesus Name we pray,

Amen.