Abiding in the PsalmsSample

Justice makes sense. If you do something wrong, you should face the consequences. You take care of your friends and family, but why should you be kind to people who have hurt you? Surely loving “your people” is enough.

The difference between us and God is that God is Creator, and He loves everyone. We take care of our friends because they are special to us, but everyone is special to God. He sees people doing evil things and decides to give them good anyway. This is the heart of what it means to be a Christian. Regular people in this world know to be kind to their friends and family, but Christians are called to love the same way our Heavenly father does – and that means loving everyone.

When someone hurts you, you are going to feel that pain. It can make you hate that person for what they did. Most people would expect that reaction – and some would even say it’s a good thing. If they lied to you, cheated on you, forgot about you, were rude to you… whatever it is, you have the right to stand up for what you deserve.

Jesus says to be different. Instead of doing what everyone expects, surprise them. Forgive them. God wants us to do more than just what is expected. The kingdom of God is a world where people forgive one another, relationships are healed, God’s people are united, and people are patient with one another. It is a better world to live in, and every time you forgive someone you make the kingdom of God a little bit bigger. If it is hard for you to forgive a person, that is the exact person you should be forgiving. Pray for them and love them. Jesus lived out this attitude – when someone had to suffer, He decided to let it be Him. Let people in your life taste radical forgiveness from you, and then take the opportunity to explain how God has radically forgiven you.

Please note that forgiveness doesn’t mean you should be in danger. If you are in a situation where continuing a relationship might put you at risk, you do not need to stay in that situation. Jesus wants you to be safe and healthy. If this sounds like you, please know it is okay for you to ask for help.

Prayer

Father, thank you for Jesus. Thank you that your sacrifice has taken away my sins. Thank you that you have given me a second chance. Help me to live out this amazing forgiveness. This isn’t an easy thing for me – so teach me to love people the same way you love people. Forgive me of my sins, and let me be forgiving of other people – even my enemies.