WHY MUST I FORGIVE

WHY MUST I FORGIVE

By Ivan Okello odida

You and I in one way or the other must have been a victim of hurt by either those in our circles or even a stranger.  We have seen friends leave church, once tight friends failing to see eye to eye, or family members drinking from opposite banks of the river because one did or said something the other never or least expected. Some of us have become culprits of public criticism because of the choices we made and we have been caged in some hearts. But how do we maintain a forgiving heart in a world constantly riding against our peace ?? Here are a few principles to help us sail through the sea of hurt and frustration to the shore of forgiveness and freedom

1) Mathew 7:12 Do unto others as you would wish them to do to You

Given to us more than 2000 years ago, this principle has not only helped CEOs of big organizations make their businesses thrive but also the leaders of bring the most  transformative regimes of governance that we have known. Del Carnergie has actually made a fortune by writing the famous book “How to win friends and influence people” just explaining that one concept, which ever y christian has in the pages of their Bible. The book actually costs 16 dollars on amazon today.They call it the "golden rule" because a proper practice of it would bring a little heaven down here. Each of us, placed in the shoes of the accused, would love a little word of sympathy. We would love someone to whisper the words “I still believe in you”, “it is okay”, “you can do better” or someone to just give us a shoulder to lean and cry on. It then perturbs a lot why you would hold a “BBC focus on Ivan” yet in my shoes, would require the opposite. No wonder the Pharisees left when Christ put them in the shoes of the adulterous woman (john 8:7). Whenever placed in a position where we are forced to rush and accuse, let us put ourselves in the place of those we are accusing, and do the exact things we would wish be done for us. It is hard and against our carnal nature but we can!!

2) The ability to forgive is a measure of Holiness

There is more to holiness than having our names in the church books, not being under church discipline and knowledge of the church doctrines. It is purity of the heart which reflects in our actions and dealing with fellow men. "An unforgiving heart  has either lost sight of, or never beheld the agony of the stricken, smitten and afflicted thorn crowned redeemer upon Calvary, dieing to give him what he now fails to reciprocate a friend or foe". Being at peace with all men is directly linked to holiness, without which we can’t see the lord.(Heb 12:14).It is a divine character which we all should attain.

3) Put not your trust in man but love them regardless

Friends this is He who made man, has been dealing with him for the last 6,000 years giving us a counsel about man. He would tell us about Adam, Samson,  Abraham and all the patriarchs you know. All these at a point had their faults but what a beauty that God's love for them never changed at any point. And His ultimate desire is that we be like Him, develop that same character that He had.The more we get acquainted with God's dealing with man, the more we would treat men as He did. Loving a person only for the good He does is nothing but business. 

Do you then have a prison in your heart where you have caged someone in for years, months, weeks or hours and had vowed never to let them out? I implore you to ask God for forgiveness and give that person a call right away. If you can meet them physically, the better. Let us remember that everyone is living this moment for the first time and they do not have any experience as is required in the work place. They are therefore prone to mistakes and it is us to lend a helping hand when they fall.  spread love and hope rather than envy and strife