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SuburbanMissionary.org
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Forgiveness as Outreach?
Think about how powerful the simple act of forgiveness is and what impact offering it can have on the people around us. Most of us are wronged daily; the wrong meal at lunch, no wave from the guy you let in or who cut you off in traffic, some other guy takes credit for what you did at work. How do we respond? On the one hand, we can act like everyone else in the world – selfishly: We are the victim wronged yet again. We elevate ourselves and our needs above everyone else. Anything not done quite to our expectation and liking is a tragedy. It’s pretty hard to make a case for being a light in this world when we carry that kind of chip around on our shoulder; not exactly conducive to planting seeds with people for Christ. When we’re wronged, how else can we respond? We can give lip service forgiveness. How many times have you responded to a waitress’ apology for an incorrect meal with, *sigh* “I guess it’s ok” or “it’s fine”. We might even pat ourselves on the back for that one while we tell ourselves or those with us that you could have “let her have it, but you decided to show some mercy”. Oh really? Did that sigh show mercy? Did you forgive from your heart (Matt 18:35)? What did she think about you when she saw your head bow to pray immediately following your lip service? Is this behavior conducive to planting seeds with people for Christ? I’ve committed this lip service forgiveness more times than I care to admit. Lastly, when we’re wronged, we could, just possibly truly forgive. People in our society are so unaccustomed to being truly forgiven for indiscretions that it must seem completely foreign when it does happen. But this is why truly forgiving people around us, especially people we don’t know, is an excellent witnessing tool. Because forgiveness is so foreign, when people experience it, they’ll be confused by it and want to know where it came from. True forgiveness is what we learn from the cross. As with our children, disobedience cannot go unpunished. We correct them because we love them…God does the same for us. But the only correction to satisfy our sins is death (Romans 6:23); yet, our Father, sent His son to die in our place even though the death deserved is our own. His innocent blood was shed as an offering to pay for our sins. From this sacrifice we are forgiven when we believe, and if God can forgive us, we can and should forgive others. You can plant a seed this week by showing someone what forgiveness looks like by truly forgiving. But remember, if someone tries to give credit for the forgiveness you offer, don’t take the credit…all glory belongs to God who taught us what true forgiveness looked like in the shadow of the cross…be sure they know that. It is a wonderful tool for outreach.
7 Responses to “Forgiveness as Outreach?”
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April 14th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Very good article…Forgiveness can be as difficult as praying for your enemies. That one, for me… is difficult, at least to do it sincerely. Abba is teaching me how.
April 14th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Janice,
Thank you for the comments. I agree it is hard. Forgiving with my mouth is always easier, even though still hard, than forgiving with my heart.
Thank you again for stopping by the blog. Blessings to you.
Spencer D.
April 21st, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Hi Spencer!
We miss you at OP, but we know you are doing great work for the Kingdom. Thanks for your passion for apologetics. This world is getting crazy and we Christians need to be as informed and prepared as possible!
I just found your blog and plan to be a regular reader.
Take care!
April 22nd, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Hi Jennifer,
It is good to hear from you! Thank you for your note. I hope this blog continues to be useful to you. Blessings!
September 6th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Okaaaaaay!!!
I guess, since I saw my “test” appear above, then you will eventually see it when you are on-line(?) So, in reference to your subject of forgiveness I will share this personal blessing from the Lord. From a family of non Christians, I was taught that marriage was a 50-50 arrangement… and that what is good for the goose is good for the gander.” Well the Lord blessed me with a Christian husband as had always been my desire. I wanted someone who would “go to church” with me. Of course that was a term I now know was invalid as each of us make up the church, and it is not something we go to. It is something we are. However, this husband the Lord sent to me, Happened to be an alcoholic and an adulterer from the beginning of our marriage. By the time I found out, I had been blessed by God with the heart to forgive and realize that this problem of his was between him and God. I always said as I saw this happening in my world before marriage, that if my husband ever did that then the first time it would be “SHAME ON HIM” the second time… if I didn’t Leave him… it would be “SHAME ON ME.” So, I had a choice. I began to look at our situation and our relationship with one another. I realized he was the best father I could ever have asked God to bless me with. He was a wonderful son to his parents and a sibling to his sister, and a friend to all who knew him. He never missed work unless he was actually too sick to get out of bed. So, after much prayer and meditation, I realized it would not be a good thing for my children to be subjected to another man taking their father’s place in our lives or to have more sets of grandparents than God intended them to have. AndI never doubted his sincere love for me as his wife… NOT ONCE! If he could have changed his behavior, he would have. It’s that simple! Most people I know tell me they could never have done what I did by staying. I say that it was a simple choice because God gave me the gift of forgiveness. I could never have done it on my own!!! That’s the part people don’t get! It was not of my own doing. I am happy to say my children are all Christians and raising their children and my great grandchildren as Christians. It is a choice… to Love God and live by Faith! So- anyone who may happen to be reading this, please know I am praying for your faith to be increased by a full measure and choose carefully.
In eternal Love.
Keep On Keeping On, and always allow the Lord to walk at your side.
A.J.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:32 am
Hello A.J. - for some reason, I just saw your posts.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:40 am
Wow…what a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing it. I hope many many people have the opportunity to hear your testimony. Thank you again.