Hennie Symington

Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven. John 20:23

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive, as the Lord forgave you.  Colossians 3:12

The day the stone was rolled away from Jesus’ tomb, was the day creation was made new, along with human relations and the forgiveness of sinners. In fact, the social order of the times was turned upside down. In place of the Middle Eastern concept of “an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth,” (remember the Code of Church advocates the forgiveness of sins in place of the politics of retribution. In doing so the Church of Christ breaks new ground in a completely new dispensation. Of course, it is a near impossible task to accomplish, however, in Romans 12:18 we read: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace witheveryone." Do your best to be compassionate and to act in a humane way. In short, be nice!

Sadly, we as human beings, love nursing our pain and keeping grudges, for years on end. Yet, in the name of Christ, we are urged to pursue the possibility of reconciliation and restitution. In a world so filled with hatred and grudges, the need for forgiveness and grows even stronger.

The one who is mature enough let bygones be bygones, and who is able to reach out to what lies ahead, is someone who welcomes each new day as an irretrievable gift from God.

Prayer: Lord, we all carry grudges and have axes to grind, but in your Word, we read that there is a different way: The path of peace and forgiveness. Help us to pursue that road before venturing on the road of hatred and division as we celebrate the glad tidings: Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!  Amen