Forgiving & RebukingIsampula

Both King David and Nathan, God’s prophet, were greatly blessed through their individual obedience and David’s sincere confession (2 Samuel 12:1-15).

Spiritual forgiveness always anticipates the accompanying attitude of genuine repentance. For that reason, on special occasions, a well-worded rebuke may be the kindest possible evidence of a fellow believer’s genuine friendship. Nathan’s inspired rebuke of King David was the spiritual wake-up call that blessed him for the remaining years of his life and ministry.

As a precaution against an unforgiving spirit, it is wise to immediately begin praying whenever a sin is committed against you or against someone you love. This is important because you may find it beyond your natural ability to accept the offender’s sincere apology or their repentance.

This is especially true when the same offence has repeatedly been committed.

Remember how the Lord taught us to pray –“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). We may personally need to seek God’s forgiveness “seven times" or sometimes even many more for the exact same sin.

It is always important to remember that reality when you are being asked by others to forgive them. Jesus said, “If he sins against you seven times in a day, and comes back to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him" (Luke 17:4).