The Gift of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a selfless act you make a decision to do. It’s not easy. It’s difficult. It’s tough. Yet it’s worthwhile. Merriam-Webster defines Gift as something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation. Forgiveness is a gift because genuine forgiveness has no price tag. It flows freely and easily when you recognize that no man is perfect and thus create space, room, allowance for their imperfections.

In the post New Law of Retribution, I shared story about how one woman forgave her son’s killer in Iran. Abdollah Hosseinzadeh’s mum chose to forgive Balal, her son’s killer when sharia law of retribution allowed her to participate in killing Balal by pushing the chair on which he stood. Everyone would then watch Balal die slowly by hanging. However, this woman chose to forgive Balal on the final day. This was genuine gift she offered to Balal and his family.

I chose this story because nothing in life can be compared to losing a son (or relative) you love. Yet when she had the opportunity to get even, she forgave.

Forgiving someone who deliberately does you wrong is a very difficult thing to do. The thought about it can make you sick and sometimes it appears the only medicine you need for this sickness is vengeance; Letting him/her feel the pains you went through. But what about you choosing to offer this GIFT instead. The scripture says Give freely, and you will profit. Help others, and you will gain more for yourself (Proverbs 11:25, ERV). The more you give this gift, the more you receive from God and from man/woman.

Look around you today and make a decision to offer this gift to people who least deserved it. It’s possible you haven’t spoken to some people for days, weeks, months, or years because they hurt you but look to Jesus Christ and decide to offer this gift today.
Maybe you are planning to hit back harder and you have support from others. Two wrongs don’t make right. And what God wants from you is to show people the path of Peace. Please make it a personal decision to forgive and get along (well) with people, knowing that God freely gives you this Gift every day.

  • How can you forgive when it hurts so much?
    • Look to Jesus Christ. Consider what He went through on the cross to pay for your sins.
    • Consider your Love for God and Respect for His Command.
    • See people through the lens of Love and create allowance for their mistakes.

But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

(Romans 5:8, AMP)

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