FORGIVENESS MADE EASY- PART 1

FORGIVENESS MADE EASY.

Scripture : Luke 23:34.

Topic : Forgiveness Made Easy Part- 1. 

In this series of our quite time we shall study the steps we need to take for forgiveness to be very easy for us. Remember one mark of a true believer is seen in his or her ability to forgive, just as our Lord Jesus forgives us. To attract God's forgiveness you will need to learn to forgive those around you.  

Why is it so difficult for people to forgive?
Often, hurting people find it difficult to forgive because they cannot believe that the offender was the same person they trusted so much. This could explain the unwillingness of some spouses to forgive when their husbands or wives cheat on them. Sometimes the emotional pain one goes through is almost unbearable, and as human beings it is not easy to forget. Though we may find it difficult to forgive, what God is saying to us is that it is very important to forgive no matter how traumatic the pain may be. I want to share with you six steps that will make forgiveness easier for you.

1. Analyse the offender.
There is the need to analyse the offender very well that is, the person who did whatever to hurt you. Luke 23:34 gives an example of Jesus analyzing the offenders. He said,

"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do..." 

Luke 23:34

As the people were killing and destroying Him, He looked at them and said, “Father, forgive them.” Jesus was not just forgiving them Himself. He had gone a step further, and was asking someone else to forgive them for the evil that they had done to Him. The Son of God explained why they needed to be forgiven: because “they know not what they do.” If you analyse the offender, you will realize that although he is doing evil, he may not be fully aware of the implications of his action. As soon as you analyse it this way, it will help you relate well with whoever offends you.

Let me share with you a personal experience. I remember when one of my junior pastors was extremely rude to me. This pastor spoke in a way he should never have spoken least of all, to me. He shouted and threatened me. I was then sitting with one of my senior associate pastors. As this was going on, I looked at him and I said to myself, “He does not know what he is doing.” As he continued displaying and behaving in an unbecoming manner, I said to myself, “I am very sure he doesn’t know what he is doing. Maybe he is confused or disturbed.” Later on, my associate said he thought I would dismiss him immediately, because the junior pastor’s behavior was appalling.

However, I made the excuse for him that he did not know what he was doing or he would not have behaved in this way and it helped me to relate with him. Learn to make excuses for people. Jesus made excuses for His own murderers! Perhaps your offender is sick, ignorant or confused. If you are able to analyse those who offend you in this way, you will be able to forgive them. By analyzing in this way, you will find that you have the capacity within you to forgive. It helps you to understand why a person behaves in a particular way. Otherwise, you can never forgive. 

Credits : Excerpt from

Forgiveness Made Easy. 

Bishop Dag Heward - Mills.