In the 1960’s there was a young white man named Greg who went to high school in a city of Koininia. During that time he was mistreated and not accepted. But even though he was severely picked on and beat up, he chose to turn the other cheek. 40 years after he graduated, he received an invitation to a class reunion. The letter was humbly written with sincerity by one of the people who bullied him. After Greg was convinced of the sincerity, be attended the class reunion to find an apology from every one of his persecutors. Greg admitted that it took him years to forgive them but one day he just decided to let it go and with that, he experienced a brand new beginning.

In Luke, Jesus said, “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” He commanded us to live the best way by not holding an accord of wrongdoings and to resist the urge to treat them just as badly. Why? Because that’s a seed of bitterness that is planted and every time you see the wrong doer, the bitterness returns and builds up inside.

God does care if people do wrong against us. Romans 12:19-21 says, ¹⁹Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. ²⁰Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.  ²¹Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good .It’s not our place to seek revenge. God is the ultimate judge and he will judge those who have done us wrong. Our part is simply letting him fight those battles and in return we receive blessings and victories for letting him do just that.

Another aspect, forgiving ourselves, kind of goes along with seeking forgiveness from others. It took Greg’s offenders 40 years to reconcile with him. Think about Jacob and Esau. He convinced his brother to trade his birthright for a meal and shortly thereafter, deceived his father and received Esau’s blessing. So we come to the point where Jacob is planning to meet with Esau. He hears that Esau is coming with an army of 400 men. Jacob gets real nervous and sends half of his oxen, donkeys, flocks, menservants, and women servants to Esau so that he will find grace in his eyes. He plans for the worst and even says, “If Esau comes and smites one company, then the other can escape.” That night he wrestles with the angel. So the next morning, he goes to meet with Esau, not really knowing what to expect. But it says…….. ⁴And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept. They experienced the miracle of a new beginning only found in forgiveness.

Jesus made it clear in the book of Matthew that if we don’t forgive others, we won’t be forgiven by God. I know he desires to lead us into forgiveness in all aspects and with that new found freedom, we discover a new start. He wants us to let go of all grudges. Time and time again he has shown us mercy. There’s no where in the Bible that says he had to forgive us. He just simply chose to because he loves you and I. How can we not forgive others whenever God has so mercifully forgiven us?

The Christian rock band, Sanctus Real, recently put out a new song entitled ‘Forgiven’. The lyrics say, “In this life, I know what I’ve been, but here in your arms I know what I am. I’m forgiven! I’m forgiven! I don’t have to carry the weight of who I’ve been because I’m forgiven!” You can have that release when you trade in your grudges, your unforgiveness, your hate, and you can experience the joy and freedom that forgiveness brings!

Matthew 5:7, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”