Bible Reading: Luke 17:3
In Luke 17:3 Jesus said, “So watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.” Forgiveness is immediate. When someone who has offended or hurt
you comes to you and asks you to forgive them, God expects you to do so, right then.
Reconciling with that person – being able to trust him or her again – takes time, but if someone has asked for your forgiveness and you’ve given it to him, the next step is doing whatever is necessary to begin repairing the relationship. As the person who did the forgiving, that means that you need to give the forgiven person the time and the opportunity – or many opportunities – to make things right with you and earn your trust again.
Why is that so important?
That is how God forgave us. Romans 5:10 says, “For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our sins were forgiven and our relationship with God has been made right – reconciled – just as it says in Colossians 1:22: “But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.”
Are you giving the person that you’ve forgiven opportunities to make things right? If not, have you truly forgiven him?
“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to always do what I know it right. In Jesus’ name. Amen.