Time To Forgive
Last week a friend's husband died suddenly. This once again brought the reality of the brevity of life front and foremost in my mind. On Sunday this guy's only worry was getting done mowing the other half of his yard. On Monday a doctor's visit revealed he was in the final stages of cancer and was put straight in Hospice Care where he died the next Monday.
I wondered what it must feel like to go to the place where you know you are going to die. I suppose the first thing I would do is ask to see all the people I wanted to say goodbye to and all the ones I wanted to tell that I loved them. I would also do a check of my heart to make sure I hadn't forgotten to forgive everyone who I needed to forgive.
Telling loved ones we love them is always good, but forgiveness isn't something that we need not put off a single day. When we forgive others we set ourselves free of the burden and bitterness of the memories of whatever wrong was committed against us, and more importantly, we can have the assurance that we, in turn, are forgiven by God. To be forgiven we must forgive.
Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Forgiveness of loved ones is easy usually because we love them already. We have a special place for them in our hearts. But how hard is it to forgive our enemies? Is there anyone in your life who hurt you deeply and you haven't forgiven them? Perhaps it is a person from years ago who you will probably never see again, or even have the opportunity to speak the words, "I forgive you" to. You must still forgive them. Sincerely speak the words to God in Heaven. He will hear and He will bring healing to your heart.
Remember Christ not only forgave those who crucified Him, He even asked the Father to forgive them.
Luke 23: 33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. 34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Our heart's desire should be that all are forgiven and come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. ALL includes all who have wronged us, broken our hearts, and done all manner of evil against us. ALL includes those that we must forgive. ALL includes friend as well as foe.
Life here is very brief and can end at any moment. Now is the time to make sure you are forgiven and ready to see Jesus face to face in all His glory. Now is the time to make sure you have forgiven all who need to be forgiven in your life.