“Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.”
Luke 17:3
Christ said when people sin against you, go to them, and rebuke them. If they repent you must forgive them. Repent in this context means if they wish to put the wrong, right. We must forgive those who truly want to be reconciled. This is the biblical way of forgiveness. If the person does not repent, we are not commanded to be reconciled with them. If you forgive in the context of being reconciled without true repentance, then you are condoning sin. We must learn to let the situation go if it is unresolvable.
We must not hold ill feelings towards those who have wronged us. We must forgive those who sin against us. The Bible teaches in Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” Reconciliation and forgiveness are at the heart of the Gospel message. Christ died for the forgiveness of sinners. No one deserves to be forgiven, but God desires men and women to be declared righteous, which is blameless before His Heavenly throne. This is only due to the blood of Christ shed on a cruel cross.
It is very important that we reach out to those who have sinned against us. If it is possible to be reconciled, then that is the best outcome. Be humble and honest. Forgive people and remember the sin no more. Scripture says that love does not keep a record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5). Contemplate the following questions.
1. Do you reach out with forgiveness when someone hurts you?
2. Do you make it your aim to do well to those who have wronged you?
3. Are you keeping in memory a record of wrongs?
4. Do you have a hard heart towards people who have sinned against you?
5. What is your attitude toward people who have sinned against you?
Leave a Reply