The curate writes…

There are some things that Jesus seems to tackle over and over again. One of those things is forgiveness. I find myself doing the same thing!

Over and over while talking to folk I find that lack of forgiveness and growing bitterness is rife in many areas of life. The soaps reflect this too. Emmerdale, Corry, East Enders, even Star Trek (a sort of Eastenders in the sky) are all based around real relationships even though the contexts are different. And in those relationships there is often trauma caused by poor decisions, lifestyles and aspirations, whether rich or poor, employed or unemployed.

I think its fair to assume that if you work with others, stuff can go wrong in relationships. In fact, I’ve found that relationships can even be tested when nothing is done wrong – but through misunderstandings, stuff can still go pear shaped. And that’s being generous.

Low incomes, long hours, insufficient time, too much to do for those in work, too much time with nothing to do if out of work, emotional difficulties brought from home to work or vice versa, illness. All these things can generate stress and that impinges on relationships.

So Jesus speaks of forgiveness frequently and links it to blessing. It’s the way of grace. Here are a few examples.

That is why I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours. "Whenever you stand up to pray, forgive whatever you have against anyone, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins.
Mark 11:24-25

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. "Stop judging, and you will never be judged. Stop condemning, and you will never be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A large quantity, pressed together, shaken down, and running over will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use, you will be measured."
Luke 6:36-38

The Lord is dying to bless. No, He’s already died, but you know what I mean. The Living God doesn’t teach us to forgive to make life hard – but to make it much better!

Typically, when I’m speaking to people who are going through appalling times involving others, they’ll say something along one of these lines:
“I now I should forgive, but it wouldn’t work” (in other words, I’m not going to risk it)
“You just don’t know how horrible they have been to me / us” (There are some things that cannot be forgiven)
And so they lock themselves into resentment or helplessness – basically agreeing with the devil rather than Our Lord Jesus.

Jesus is the one, while talking to people in occupied territory who said “Love your enemies”, “Do good to those who persecute you”. “If you love only those who love you what gain is that – even the pagans do that!”

This is the stunning simplicity of the gospel. Believe and trust, in God, in every circumstance. Don’t ‘compartmentalise’, keeping God stuff for church and homegroups in practice, but not actively in hard places.

Forgiving like Jesus does is counter cultural big time. Just do it. True, you need the power of God for this to be possible, for resentment and helplessness et al to be replace by the fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Eye of the storm and all that.
Dave

God Bless
Dave