I've been thinking a lot about forgiveness lately...in all areas of the word. What it means, how many times we should forgive someone, if we should forgive for big or small things, the list goes on and on. I came across some Scripture this morning in chapel that truly cleared my confusion.
"Jesus said to his disciples: 'Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying 'I repent,' you must forgive them.'" (Luke 17:1-4)
Seven times! In one day! Well, that's pretty clear!
One of my favorite Christian artists, Matthew West sings a lot about forgiveness. In fact, his songs are based on people's true life experiences. He's written one particular song about a man going to prison for a very significant crime, vehicular manslaughter. That man's life was about to change and he didn't have a clue. The mother of the teenage girl that was killed by this drunk-driver wanted to meet this man and speak with him. She eventually decided that instead of living with the pain and anger, she needed to forgive. So, she forgave this man, helped to shorten his amount of time in prison and helped lead him to Christ.
Forgiveness is really powerful. It doesn't just make people feel better...it changes lives. When Christ died on the cross for us, he didn't just die for those small sins that people didn't mean to do. He died for ALL sins; that ALL people may be forgiven, believe and have eternal life with Him in heaven.
I am so thankful that God made that crystal clear for me this morning. It's really incredible how God works each day to teach us, guide us and help us understand the daily happenings in our lives.
I highly suggest listening to "Forgiveness" by Matthew West and reading more about the inspiring story behind this song, but if you're short on time, here are the lyrics:
"Forgiveness"
It's the hardest thing to give away
and the last thing on your mind today
It always goes to those that don't deserve
It's the opposite of how you feel
when the pain they caused is just too real
it takes everything you have just to say the word...
Forgiveness
Forgiveness
It flies in the face of all your pride
It moves away the mad inside
It's always anger's own worst enemy
even when the jury and the judge
say you gotta right to hold a grudge
it's the whisper in your ear saying "Set it Free"
Forgiveness, forgiveness
forgiveness, forgiveness
Show me how to love the unlovable
show me how to reach the unreachable
help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness
It'll clear the bitterness away
it can even set a prisoner free
There is no end to what it's power can do
so, let it go and be amazed
by what you see through eyes of grace
the prisoner that it really frees is you
Forgiveness, forgiveness,
forgiveness, forgiveness
Show me how to love the unlovable
show me how to reach the unreachable
help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness
I want to finally set it free
so show me how to see what Your mercy sees
help me now to give what You gave to me
Forgiveness, forgiveness
"Jesus said to his disciples: 'Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying 'I repent,' you must forgive them.'" (Luke 17:1-4)
Seven times! In one day! Well, that's pretty clear!
One of my favorite Christian artists, Matthew West sings a lot about forgiveness. In fact, his songs are based on people's true life experiences. He's written one particular song about a man going to prison for a very significant crime, vehicular manslaughter. That man's life was about to change and he didn't have a clue. The mother of the teenage girl that was killed by this drunk-driver wanted to meet this man and speak with him. She eventually decided that instead of living with the pain and anger, she needed to forgive. So, she forgave this man, helped to shorten his amount of time in prison and helped lead him to Christ.
Forgiveness is really powerful. It doesn't just make people feel better...it changes lives. When Christ died on the cross for us, he didn't just die for those small sins that people didn't mean to do. He died for ALL sins; that ALL people may be forgiven, believe and have eternal life with Him in heaven.
I am so thankful that God made that crystal clear for me this morning. It's really incredible how God works each day to teach us, guide us and help us understand the daily happenings in our lives.
I highly suggest listening to "Forgiveness" by Matthew West and reading more about the inspiring story behind this song, but if you're short on time, here are the lyrics:
"Forgiveness"
It's the hardest thing to give away
and the last thing on your mind today
It always goes to those that don't deserve
It's the opposite of how you feel
when the pain they caused is just too real
it takes everything you have just to say the word...
Forgiveness
Forgiveness
It flies in the face of all your pride
It moves away the mad inside
It's always anger's own worst enemy
even when the jury and the judge
say you gotta right to hold a grudge
it's the whisper in your ear saying "Set it Free"
Forgiveness, forgiveness
forgiveness, forgiveness
Show me how to love the unlovable
show me how to reach the unreachable
help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness
It'll clear the bitterness away
it can even set a prisoner free
There is no end to what it's power can do
so, let it go and be amazed
by what you see through eyes of grace
the prisoner that it really frees is you
Forgiveness, forgiveness,
forgiveness, forgiveness
Show me how to love the unlovable
show me how to reach the unreachable
help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness
I want to finally set it free
so show me how to see what Your mercy sees
help me now to give what You gave to me
Forgiveness, forgiveness
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