Wrath and anger are hateful things,
yet the sinner hugs them tight.
Why does the sinner hold on tight to things which are obviously hateful? Why does even Peter seek to find limits on how much forgiveness is required of him?
Peter approached Jesus and asked him,
"Lord, if my brother sins against me,
how often must I forgive?
As many as seven times?"
It is because to one degree or another we still live and die for ourselves rather than the LORD. We are still trying to exercise control and authority over our lives. We want to ensure that justice is done. A part of us believes this means we must do it.
The solution is to be merciful. We can do this when we remember that we are not are own.
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body (see First Corinthians 6:19:20)
Now we no longer have those instincts of self-preservation that insist on our own rights over those of others. When people come to us for mercy we are able to set aside our own pride and our own egos and offer them forgiveness whether or not they deserve it. After all, we receive forgiveness with out deserving it from the LORD.
We might worry about what will become of us if we don't insist on our rights and hold others accountable for their wrongs. But what we should really worry about is what will become of us if we don't. Unforgiveness is a trap. It is allowing someone to live rent free in our souls. It does them no harm but it does much harm to us. If we are holding onto any unforgiveness or grudges this morning let's let go and forgive. Let's forgive just as fully and completely as the LORD forgives us.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
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