Forgiveness

Two days in June which are easily recognized and we celebrate nationally are Flag Day (June 14) and Father’s Day (June 18). However, other special days that are not so familiar are: National Donut Day, June 2; Repeat Day, June 3; Eat Your Vegetables Day, June 17; and Ice Cream Soda Day, June 20. One other interesting special day in June is National Forgiveness Day, June 26. Forgiveness is an action of one person to let go of anger they have toward someone who has wronged them. The Bible tells us that forgiveness is important and it identifies two different kinds – personal forgiveness, and forgiveness of others.

1)    Personal Forgiveness.  Scripture says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Think about the aspects of personal forgiveness which this verse identifies.

a)    Timing.  There is no specific day attached to God’s forgiveness – “If we … he will.” God is ready to forgive us any day. All we need to do is to come to Him.

b)    Condition.  The condition for forgiveness is confession – “If we confess.” We simply need to agree with God about what we have done.

c)     Faithfulness.  Personal forgiveness is not based on what we have done, but on God’s faithfulness – “he is faithful.”   God is trustworthy and will always keep his promises. “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands” (Deuteronomy 7:9).

d)    Confidence.  “He … will forgive us.” We can be certain that God will forgive us because He says that He will and He always means what He says.

e)     Forgiveness and Cleansing.  God does double work because he will not only “forgive us” but He will “purify us” at the same time. Only He can do both things; we can do neither.

 2)    Forgiveness of Others.  Scripture is clear when it says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). Notice the specifics of this verse. 

a)    Kindness – “Be kind.” This is a gentle action recognizing that a person cares.

b)    Compassion – “And compassionate.” This is a deep feeling for someone who is hurting.

c)     Forgiveness – “Forgiving each other.” This is letting go of resentment to someone who has wronged you.

d)    Personal Example – “As in Christ God forgave you.” Our Lord set an example of forgiveness which we need to follow.

How should a person respond to forgiveness?  First, personally receive God’s forgiveness by coming to Him to confess sin and receive cleansing.  Second, forgive people whom God prompts you to pardon.

The Touch of the Master

When we were younger and became sick or did not feel well we went to our mother and appreciated her tender touch.  That touch was all that was needed.  We knew her touch would help us through our difficulty.  As we grew into our adult years and became sick we longed for the touch of a doctor who could diagnosis the problem and give us an injection or a pill that would be a quick fix to make us better.  Chapter one of the Gospel of Mark tells the story of a man who had leprosy -- an infectious, communicable, debilitating disease -- which was incurable (in Biblical times) and resulted in death, usually within a decade.  The leper came to Jesus in faith acknowledging that healing rested in the hands of God and that Jesus had the power to heal him.  He said to Jesus, “If you are willing, you can make me clean” (Mark 1:40).   What we see next is Jesus reaching out to this man with compassion, touching him, and healing him with a simple command.  Here’s how the Scripture puts it: “Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”  Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured” (Mark 1:41-42).  

You and I need to experience the compassionate touch of Jesus, the Master – maybe not because of a medical condition, but because of a difficulty or a problem that we face.  We need to: (1) Acknowledge God’s power and sovereignty – “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” (2) We need to understand that Jesus feels a deep sympathy for us with a desire to help us – “Filled with compassion.”  (3) We need to know that Jesus is ready and willing to help us just as we are – “I am willing.”

Jesus is in the business of touching lives today.  It doesn’t matter who we are, what we have done, or the situation in which we find ourselves.  You and I can experience the wonderful touch of the Master – for cleansing, for healing, for restoration, for enrichment, for encouragement, for forgiveness of sins.  Are you willing to come to the Master for His tender touch to meet your need?