FORGIVE FROM YOUR HEART

Make Peace-Forgive

What does it really take to forgive when you have have a problem with another Christian? Frankly, there is no one simple method, but the Bible offers helpful examples and realistic advice. A key recommendation-though not an easy one to accept and apply-is simply to forget the matter, to let it pass. Often when a problem exists, as it did between Euodia and Syntyche, each person feels that the other is in the wrong or mainly at fault. So in a situation like that, you may well think that the other Christian is primarily to blame or has done the most harm. Nevertheless, can you simply close the book by forgiving? Realize that, if and this may be a big if, the other Christian is primarily or entirely at fault, you are in the prime position to let the matter pass as forgiven and ended.

Let us not lose sight of God as our example in forgiving. (Ephesians 4:32-5:1) As to His pattern in letting errors pass, the prophet Micah wrote: "Who is a God like you, one pardoning error and passing over transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? He will certainly not hold onto his anger forever, for he is delighting in loving-kindness." -Micah 7:18.

By describing Jehovah as one "passing over transgression," the Bible is not saying that he is incapable of recalling the wrongs having some sort of selective amnesia. Consider the cases of Samson and David, both of whom committed serious errors. God was able to remember those sins long afterward; even we know of some of their sins because Jehovah had recorded them in the Bible. Still, our forgiving God showed mercy to those two, setting them before us as examples of faith to imitate. - Hebrews 11:32; 12:1.

Yes, Jehovah was able to 'pass over' transgression, even as David repeatedly asked him to do. (2 Samuel 12:13; 24:10) Can we imitate God in this, being willing to pass over the slights and offenses that our fellow servants commit as imperfect humans? Imagine yourself on a jet airplane speeding down a runway. Looking out, you see near the runway an acquaintance making the rude gesture of childishly sticking her tongue out. You know that she had been upset and might have you in mind. Or she might not be thinking of you at all. Anyway, as the plane circles to gain altitude, you pass high over the woman, who now seems to be just a speck. In an hour you are hundreds of miles away, and her offending gesture is long since behind you. Similarly, many times it will help us to forgive if we try to be like Jehovah and wise pass over the offense. (Proverbs 19:11) Will not the slight seem tine ten years from now or two hundred years into the Millennium? Why not just let it pass?

On a rare occasion, though, you may have prayed about the matter and tried to forgive, but you feel that you cannot. What then? Jesus urged going to the other party and trying to resolve the difference in privacy to achieve peace. "If, then, you are bringing your gift to the altar and you there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, and go away; first make your peace with your brother, and then, when you have come back, offer up your gift." -Matthew 5:23, 24.

Next time: Continue with Make Peace-Forgive

Watchtower, 1999