November 22, 2022 -- Romans 12:16b-21 --The Christian's Work of Forgiveness

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Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:16b-21 ESV

Forgiveness is not for the weak or fainthearted. It is a character trait which reveals the depths of one’s trust in the Living God. He is powerful to avenge. He is able to make all things right at the end of the age. He will make all things right at the end of the age. It is to His glory to do so. The work of God in the life of the believer is to transform the enemy so that he is at last a brother or a sister in Christ, or having had every opportunity to repent, he will receive the full justice of God. 

Resentment adds fuel to the fires of separation. It is a restless poison that continually breaks community and simmers in the heart and clouds the mind. Resentment explodes in anger. It refuses to forgive. It does not trust God, believing one’s own puny strength is enough to repay the enemy. The result is more and more brokenness in the life of the resentful, vengeful person. The heart of such a person is closed to beauty, to goodness and shut up against the good gifts of the Living God, the Father, Who is the Source of every good gift.

Forgiveness is what mature Christians offer recognizing that God has forgiven each one in the powerful Name of Jesus. Sins are punished on the Person of Jesus. Christians remember Jesus’ words: “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” Matthew 6:14-15. You may recognize where this passage is found in Matthew, right after the prayer Jesus taught His followers to pray. The Lord’s Prayer, which includes the petition “forgive us our debts as we also forgive our debtors” requires the powerful work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer to make this forgiveness received and given a reality in the community of believers.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come, Your will be done,
   on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
   and forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
Matthew 6:9b-13 ESV, with the "amen" added

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