A Moment With GodSample

MADE FOR GIVING LOVE

Forgiveness is accepting the person as he is. Very often we expect people to change according to our expectations. When they don't, there is conflict. Relationships deepen if we forgive each other continually.

Joseph did not forgive his brothers because they changed but because he had the spirit to forgiveness.

Forgiveness is taking a risk. Joseph agrees to meet his brothers after so many years because he has forgiven them. He makes himself vulnerable. But there is no guarantee that he will not be hurt again by the same people. He might be called a fool for forgiving his brothers. The world would suggest he retaliate. But because he had the presence of the Lord, he was quick to forgive.

There is no guarantee that when we forgive people they will not betray us.

Let us look at Jesus on the Cross. He continually forgave people - Peter, Thomas and Judas Iscariot. But all of them hurt him again. He went back to them after the resurrection.

Forgiveness does not mean that the other will change totally.

Forgiveness is a way of living. It is developing a readiness within ourselves to forgive. When we forgive, we reveal the characteristics of Jesus in us.

The characteristics that were revealed in Joseph when he forgave his brothers were grace, love, patience, forbearance and self-control. Just by forgiving his brother, Joseph brought out all the characteristics of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Are we missing out on the wonderful opportunity of revealing the characteristics of the Lord in the way we forgive one another? Faults are thick where love is thin.

Jesus showed us how to forgive and to be free.

At home, at work, in our community, it is important to forgive. Who should forgive first? The one who is spiritually mature.

The real test of forgiveness is when we have the power to make the other person pay, but we choose not to use it. Forgiveness absorbs the wrongs others have done without exacting payment. If there’s payment, there’s no need for forgiveness.

Let us practice forgiveness and let us ask the Lord to give us the spirit of forgiveness. Let us constantly renew our commitment to the Lord. Let us keep close to the Cross. At the Cross, there is reconciliation, relationships are strengthened and forgiveness happens.

Let us ask the Lord to forgive us so that we can forgive one another. Jesus showed us how to forgive. Let us follow Christ as our model.

Forgiving is a reminder that you are made for giving love.