Pastor Sam’s Weekly Blog
In looking at the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples I noticed the part where he says, “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,” This struck me as I want God to forgive me, but I must in turn be willing to forgive those who have wronged me. One year ago on January 8th a terrible tragedy happened in Tucson at a Safeway shopping plaza where six people were killed by a lone gunman and an Arizona Representative was severely wounded. In looking back on this incident how hard must it be for those who were there and were tormented by this, for them to forgive this gunman. We can all say we would forgive until we are face to face with death. I imagine it would be even more difficult had you lost a loved one as the Taylor’s who had their little girl murdered that day in Tucson. That would be almost unconscionable. It would be very hard to forgive in this incident. Yet we know what hatred and bitterness does to us. As someone whom I love dearly once said, “Unforgiveness and bitterness is like taking poison and waiting for the person you have not forgiven to die.” The only person dying is you.
I’ve learned these lessons the hard way with the challenges we have faced trying to pastor people who have their own agendas. When people say how much they love you yet stab you in the back, we must practice forgiveness. As Christ told his disciples forgive and you will be forgiven.
Matthew 18:21-34 “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.”
Today if someone has done you wrong practice forgiveness as Jesus has taught us to do.
Samuel King, Senior Pastor
Christlike Life Church, Laveen, AZ
