Forgive, As Jesus Forgave!
By Minister C. Randolph
I am currently taking a course where we are studying how different people’s character in the Holy Bible reflects or was a type of Christ. For example, Joseph was a son who was loved by his father. Later as you read more about him you find Joseph was hated, conspired against, sold for silver, condemned even though he was innocent, and finally raised from humiliation to glory by the powerful hand of GOD. Joseph was a type of Christ because Jesus went through the same challenges during His earthly lifespan.
In our daily walk with GOD, we strive to be more like Jesus. 1 John 2:6 states, “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked” (KJV). But Jesus was also one who forgave. Even after He was whipped, mocked, spit upon, crucified, and pierced, He still asked the Father to forgive those who had done all those things to Him (Luke 23:34). I ask in your pursuit to be like Jesus, can you forgive like Him?
In this day and time people are very quick to hold on to past mistakes and never give people an opportunity to recover from them. In the corporate world, employers may look at a mistake someone made ten years ago and decide not to hire an individual. Even in church when someone wants to come back to Christ we can sometimes be judgmental and not fully accept them. Thus making it almost impossible for the person to feel forgiven and not want to revert back into the world.
I am reminded of the woman who the scribes and Pharisees brought to Jesus. The Bible says she was caught in the very act of adultery. This was a severe crime and was punishable by death. The scribes and Pharisees knowing the law quoted it to Jesus. They challenged Jesus by asking Him what punishment Hr6tff8e wanted to administer since the law stated she should be stoned. Jesus told them whichever one of them was free from sin should begin stoning the woman. They were quick to judge her life but never did a self-examination of their own lives. One by one the accusers walked away until the woman and Jesus were the only ones left. Jesus gave her a second chance despite of the immoral choices she made. Jesus forgave her and instructed her to go and sin no more (John 8:1-11).
As we continue to study to word of GOD we understand HE will judge us one day and it is not our responsibility to judge or condemn people. So this month, I challenge you to show compassion and examine yourself, remembering what GOD has allowed you to be cleansed from. Stop holding a twenty-year grudge or looking down on people for their past transgressions. Forgive as Jesus forgave! Unlike us, He did no wrong but still suffered for us so that our sins may be forgiven. There is no better example of kindness, grace, forgiveness, and love. I leave you with the words of Peter:
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again, when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls” (1 Peter 2:21-25 KJV).
NOTE: Also read Matthew 6:14-15 & Luke 6:27-38