Forgiveness

Have you ever been forgiven? Have you ever forgiven someone else? What was difficult about being forgiven? What was difficult about forgiving another?

As followers of Jesus, we are forgiven and we have been called to forgive, no matter how difficult it may be to forgive. 

In Matthew’s gospel account, Jesus said, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15, NIV). 

As we have been forgiven, we are called to forgive others. 

Later in the gospel of Matthew Jesus tells us how we are to forgive. Jesus says, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector” (Matthew 18:15-17, ESV). 

Jesus takes forgiveness and forging others seriously. It is difficult work to forgive and it is an essential and important work of the good news of Jesus to forgive others as we have been forgiven. 

As forgiven followers of Jesus, may we do the difficult, meaningful, and essential work of forgiving others, recognizing that we have been forgiven by God by his work on the cross on our behalf. 

A Prayer for the Unity of All Christian People: "O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace to take to heart the grave dangers we are in through our many divisions. Deliver your Church from all enmity and prejudice, and everything that hinders us from godly union. As there is one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so make us all to be of one heart and of one mind, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and love, that with one voice we may give you praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God in everlasting glory. Amen." (#4., Book of Common Prayer, 2019). 

A Collect for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, or the Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity (Proper 18): “O Lord God, grant your people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow you, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, 2019). 

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