FORGIVE FROM YOUR HEART

Continue with:Make Peace-Forgive

Significantly, Jesus did not say to go to your brother to convince him that you were in the right and that he was in the wrong. Maybe he was. More probably, there was some fault on each side. In any case, the goal should not be to get the other party to concede, to grovel, as it were. If that is how you approach the discussion, failure will be almost certain. Nor should the goal necessarily be to review every detail of the real or imagined offense. When calm discussion in the spirit of Christian love reveals a sad misunderstanding at the core of the problem, you can both try to clear that up. But even if the discussion does not lead to total agreement, is that always necessary? Would it not be better if you at least could agree that you both sincerely want to serve our forgiving God? When you face that reality it may be easier for each to say from the heart," I am sorry that in our imperfection we had this difference. Please, let us pass beyond it."

Remember that the apostles had their differences, as when some of them aspired to greater honor. (Mark 10:35-39; Luke 9:46; 22:24-26) That caused tension, perhaps hurt feelings, or even deep offense. But they were able to pass over such differences and keep on working together. On of them later wrote: "He that would love life and see good days, let him restrain his tongue from what is bad and his lips from speaking what is bad and his lips from speaking deception, but let him turn away from what is bad and do what is good; let him seek peace and pursue it." -1 Peter 3:10, 11.

We earlier noted one phase of a cycle: God forgave many sins that we committed i the past, so that we should imitate him and forgive our brothers. (Psalm 103:12; Isaiah 43:25) But there is another phase to this cycle. After providing the model prayer, Jesus said: "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone that is in debt to us." (Matthew 6:12, 14; Luke 11:4) Then, just days before his death, Jesus added: "When you stand praying, forgive whatever you have against anyone; in order that your Father who is in the heavens may also forgive you your trespasses." -Mark 11:25.

Yes, our prospects for continuing to receive God's forgiveness are to a large extent contingent on our being willing to forgive our brothers. When a personal problem between Christians arises, ask yourself, ' Is not gaining God's forgiveness far more important that my proving that a brother or a sister was wrong on some minor slight, some petty offense, or some reflection of human imperfection? You know the answer.

What though, when the matter is more serious than a minor personal offense or problem? And when does Jesus' counsel recorded at Matthew 18:15-18 apply? Let us next consider these matters/

Next time: YOU MAY GAIN YOUR BROTHER

Watchtower, 1999