If we are going to get a Clue about forgiveness there are some things we need to learn from Joseph. In the game eventually the envelope is opened and the who, what & where are revealed for all to see. When it comes to living I’ve learned that eventually all of us will be in that envelope. Ecclesiastes 7:20 reminds us “There is not a single person in all the earth who is always good and never sins.” When I want to stand and accuse and judge another person I need to remember my own failures and betrayals.
If we all live with the realization that we are going to need forgiveness ourselves, and usually it is sooner rather than later. Do you remember the last time you messed up and had to seek forgiveness, or the last time you did something and hoped no one would find out? Weren’t you praying that whoever you had to go to would offer grace and kindness to you? If you can remember that feeling, then you need to remember it when you are opening the envelope and you pull someone else’s card. Give the forgiveness you want to receive from someone else.
The hardest part of forgiveness is the getting even part. We many times want to pay back an “eye for an eye” and make sure they know not to mess with us again. Peter, one of Jesus friends, had the same question. In Matthew 18 Peter asks Jesus: “Peter asked, ‘Lord how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’ ‘No’ Jesus replied, ‘seventy times seven.'” Over the years that I’ve been in church I’ve heard several explanations for what Jesus meant by this reply. It puzzles me that Peter throws a number at Jesus and Jesus does what he always does. Raises the bar on us and pushes us to go beyond what is expected of normal people and wants us to do more. Is this a number for eternity? Is it a number to be remembered? Do we really need to worry over those things? Doesn’t he simply mean you need to be a forgiving person? Come on admit it we want revenge, He says forgives and keep forgiving.
Romans 12:19 in the Living Bible says, “…Never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for he has said that he will repay those who deserve it.” So revenge is a dish best served by God. He won’t go overboard and He will do it in a way that will last. Plus it will be what is deserved if revenge is given. Most of all always remember that getting revenge makes you even with your enemy, but forgiving puts you above him. So if you want to honor God and others you need to let Colonel Mustard go free. I know that sounds good but we need to realize that it is a tough call to let someone else off the hook.
Forgiveness is one thing, but God calls us to something more at times. “…do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.” is a challenge given to us in Luke 6:27 – 28 (NIV) Jesus calls us to do more than just forgive, He wants us to bless those we could condemn. A step above forgiving is to pray for those who have wronged us in the past. A big part of that is to remember the words of Proverbs 17:9, “Whoever forgives someone’s sin makes a friend, but gossiping about the sin breaks up friendships.” Many times we need to realize that forgiving means we do not rehearse and retell our story to someone else. It is not enough to forgive; you’ve got to put down the rope and candlestick. To let them live in peace no matter if they admit guilt or ask for forgiveness. I know settle down and keep reading. Don’t throw the book down yet. True faith is never easy. It is a tough journey that pushes us beyond anything else in this world.
The next thing we need to talk about is found in an ancient story of a man named Job. One of his friends gives him some advice after Job has gone through hell and back in his life. His friends encourage him with these words: “Put your heart right, reach out to God…then face the world again, firm and courageous. Then all your troubles will fade from your memory, like floods that are past and remembered no more.” (Job 11:13 – 16 LB) There comes a time when we return the book to the library and forget where it is on the shelf. When we give our pain and hurt to God, he begins to heal what has been broken in our hearts. It all begins with putting our heart right and reaching out to a God who understands a few things about having His heart broken. It is in letting go that we move forward. As long as we keep bringing up and rehearsing a hurt or offense, it has control of our lives and will keep us in the envelope of pain. At times we need to realize that we forgive for ourselves, not the person who hurt us.