WHEN FORGIVENESS DEMANDS MORE
IN 2 CORINTHIANS 2:4-11, we see a side of forgiveness that none of us
want to ever confront--not as offender, and certainly not as the one
offended. Still, even more than that incest and molestation have such a
profound and far-reaching effect that even those not directly touched by
it, are hurt.
These are the people Paul was talking to. He was talking to the people who were "indirectly" affected by this very heinous sin. The tendency with such sins/crimes is to forget about mercy and forgiveness and to seek vengeance and justice, ONLY. If you lived in the days of Moses and the prophets--that reaction would have been just fine. But, since Jesus brought grace and taught us to forgive so completely--as if blind to the offense; relieving (totally) the offender of the punishment and any penalty for the offense, it has not been the same.
There is a reason for this, too. Not just one, actually. First, when we apply such all-encompassing forgiveness to even our greatest offenders, they have every opportunity for restoration--by the power of God's love, acted out in us. Secondly--and maybe, most importantly, satan gets no advantage over us. he can't use our unforgiveness against us, to indict us later, when we have need of forgiveness. he will never be able to say, that we haven't been faithful in extended forgiveness or that we only forgive some faults, but not all. Nor, will he be able to accuse us of measuring sin by the Old Covenant.
It is quite a test to experience incest and molestation--and forgive the offender. Sometimes, it takes years. That really isn't important; what's important is having a heart that wills to do so. Many times we hear victims of violent crimes or people who have been hurt say that I will never forgive, or never be able to forgive. The act of forgiveness is a choice. If we want to forgive and live beyond it, and have victory over it, rather than living under the shadow of the pain of crime or the offense, then we must choose that victory. When we choose it--it is already God's will; so, He will bring it to pass in you.
One of things that we must understand is that when we don't forgive, satan gets an advantage in many ways. In people who don't forgive--those who hold grudges, generally experience physiological changes as a result. The spirit isn't the only part of man that is affected--that is bad enough, but scientists and the medical establishment have determined that heart disease and illnesses of stress can be directly related to unforgiveness. Emotional well-being is affected adversely, too. Depression, anxiety, sleep issues, eating disorders can often be traced to a bitter root of an unforgiving heart. Bitterness kills.
I am amazed at the wisdom of God! He knew everything we would need, and planned accordingly for our peace and success in life. Everything that we would ever need or suffer, God provided an answer for, in His Word. His answers are never to make life difficult for mankind, but to make it better for us. It is healthy to live holy. It is healthy and good for us to abide by His Word and follow after the Law of love and live and walk in grace.
These are the Words of life!
Grace.
These are the people Paul was talking to. He was talking to the people who were "indirectly" affected by this very heinous sin. The tendency with such sins/crimes is to forget about mercy and forgiveness and to seek vengeance and justice, ONLY. If you lived in the days of Moses and the prophets--that reaction would have been just fine. But, since Jesus brought grace and taught us to forgive so completely--as if blind to the offense; relieving (totally) the offender of the punishment and any penalty for the offense, it has not been the same.
There is a reason for this, too. Not just one, actually. First, when we apply such all-encompassing forgiveness to even our greatest offenders, they have every opportunity for restoration--by the power of God's love, acted out in us. Secondly--and maybe, most importantly, satan gets no advantage over us. he can't use our unforgiveness against us, to indict us later, when we have need of forgiveness. he will never be able to say, that we haven't been faithful in extended forgiveness or that we only forgive some faults, but not all. Nor, will he be able to accuse us of measuring sin by the Old Covenant.
It is quite a test to experience incest and molestation--and forgive the offender. Sometimes, it takes years. That really isn't important; what's important is having a heart that wills to do so. Many times we hear victims of violent crimes or people who have been hurt say that I will never forgive, or never be able to forgive. The act of forgiveness is a choice. If we want to forgive and live beyond it, and have victory over it, rather than living under the shadow of the pain of crime or the offense, then we must choose that victory. When we choose it--it is already God's will; so, He will bring it to pass in you.
One of things that we must understand is that when we don't forgive, satan gets an advantage in many ways. In people who don't forgive--those who hold grudges, generally experience physiological changes as a result. The spirit isn't the only part of man that is affected--that is bad enough, but scientists and the medical establishment have determined that heart disease and illnesses of stress can be directly related to unforgiveness. Emotional well-being is affected adversely, too. Depression, anxiety, sleep issues, eating disorders can often be traced to a bitter root of an unforgiving heart. Bitterness kills.
I am amazed at the wisdom of God! He knew everything we would need, and planned accordingly for our peace and success in life. Everything that we would ever need or suffer, God provided an answer for, in His Word. His answers are never to make life difficult for mankind, but to make it better for us. It is healthy to live holy. It is healthy and good for us to abide by His Word and follow after the Law of love and live and walk in grace.
These are the Words of life!
Grace.
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