Charlea Grey
And then he said to Jesus: “Jesus, please remember me when God makes You King.” Then Jesus said to him: “I tell you this and it is sure: Today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:42-43, The Bible for the Deaf
Forgiveness is one of the most essential principles of our faith. Jesus died on the cross so that we could receive God’s forgiveness. He also repeatedly teaches us in the New Testament about the importance of forgiveness.
Forgiveness is a fundamental concept we all understand, and the Bible calls us to forgive just as we are forgiven. However, finding forgiveness in your heart can be pretty challenging.
Small things are manageable; they don’t upend your whole life. It’s easy to feel upset for a little while, gain a new perspective, choose to forgive and move on.
But what about the significant things?
What about the experiences that have a lasting impact on you? The moments that leave you feeling wronged for years, grappling with loss, clinging to sorrow and enduring suffering – whether physically or emotionally?
No, those things are not as simple to forgive. While you may eventually reach a point of acceptance, that does not necessarily translate to forgiveness. You might not be ready to release someone from their actions.
Yet, we often hear news stories about people who were able to forgive murderers, robbers or other criminals surprisingly quickly.
I find it remarkable.
In the book of Luke, we read about the criminal who hung next to Jesus on the cross. He asked for forgiveness, and Jesus promised he would be saved. What a powerful example of forgiveness – and talk about number 99, just in time!
Forgiveness is a beautiful concept and a wonderful act. We should always try to follow Jesus’ example and strive to live without unforgiveness, but we should also never underestimate how difficult it can be.
It is important to remember that it is never too late to ask for forgiveness or to forgive those who have wronged us. Yes, the journey may be long, so ensure that you take God with you along the way.
Also, keep in mind that God’s grace does not have an expiration date.
Prayer: Lord, we are so often confronted with the reality that we must forgive and ask for forgiveness. Help me to remember that, through Your grace, it is never too late. Amen.
Charlea Grey
Toe sê hy vir Jesus: “Jesus, dink aan my wanneer God vir U Koning maak.” En Jesus het vir hom gesê: “Ek sê vir jou, en dit is seker: Vandag sal jy saam met My in die paradys wees.” Lukas 23:42-43, Bybel vir almal
Vergifnis is een van die belangrikste beginsels van ons geloof, nie waar nie? Jesus het aan die kruis gesterf sodat ons God se vergifnis kan ontvang. Jesus leer ons ook keer op keer in die Nuwe Testament oor vergifnis en die belangrikheid daarvan.
Vergifnis is dus nie 'n nuwe beginsel of 'n vreemde konsep nie. Ons weet mos ons is veronderstel om te vergewe, net soos wat ons vergewe word.
Dis wel nie altyd maklik om te vergewe nie, né?
Klein dingetjies, ja dis maklik. Dingetjies wat nie jou hele lewe omver werp nie. Dis maklik om vir 'n kort rukkie kwaad te wees, nuwe perspektief te kry en te besluit om te vergewe en aan te beweeg. Maar wat van die groot goed?
Wat van dinge wat lewenslank 'n impak op jou het? Wat van die dinge waaroor jy vir jare te na gekom voel, verlies ervaar, hartseer bly, seer het – fisies of emosioneel? Nee, dis nie so maklik nie. Jy kom dalk by 'n punt van aanvaarding, maar nie noodwendig vergifnis nie. Jy is dalk nie gereed om iemand vry te spreek nie.
Tog hoor ons gereeld van mense in die nuus wat sommer baie vinnig moordenaars, rowers of ander misdadigers kon vergewe vir hul dade. Sjoe!
In Lukas lees ons van die misdadiger wat langs Jesus aan 'n kruis gehang het. Hy het om vergifnis gevra en Jesus het beloof hy sal gered word. Praat van nommer 99. Op die nippertjie.
Vergifnis is 'n wonderlike idee en konsep. Dis 'n wonderlike daad en ons moet altyd Jesus se voorbeeld probeer volg. Maar ek dink nie ons moet ooit onderskat hoe moeilik dit vir ons as mense kan wees nie. Ek dink wel ons moet daaraan vashou dat dit nooit te laat is om om vergifnis te vra nie. En dit is ook nooit te laat om jou skuldenaars te vergewe nie. Ja, soms moet jy eers 'n lang pad stap. Maak net seker jy vat God saam op daardie reis.
En onthou, God se genade vir ons, het nie 'n vervaldatum nie.
Gebed: Here, ons word so dikwels gekonfronteer met die feit dat ons moet vergewe of om vergifnis moet vra. Help my om te onthou dat deur u genade, dit nooit te laat is nie. Amen.