Grace To Forgive OthersSpeaker: Dr. Paul Dhinakaran Gist: Do not repay evil for evil but forgive. Then God shall richly bless you and exalt you. Beloved! We always blame others for our failures in our lives or repay evil for evil. But the Bible encourages us that when we forgive those who do evil to us, the Lord will bless us immensely and exalt us before them.
In the Bible we see that Isaac had two sons, Esau and Jacob. Isaac was very old and knew he would die soon. He wished to bless his son Esau before his death and said, "Now therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me. And make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die" (Genesis 27:3-4).
But Rebekah, Isaac’s wife, wanted her younger son to get the blessing and so prepared a delicious meal for her husband and made Jacob to deceive his father to get his brother’s blessing.
When Esau returned from his hunting, he came to know how Jacob deceived his father and got his blessing that was due to him. He wept bitterly and planned to kill Jacob soon. But Jacob fled to his uncle’s house and after many years returned to his country. Esau forgave his brother and embraced him and kissed him (Genesis 33:4). He did not repay evil for what Jacob had done to him. So, God blessed Esau with riches and wealth (Genesis 33:9).
“This commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also” (1 John 4:21).
Loving God implies that we should love others and forgive their sins without any bitterness. We should never repay evil for evil.
Jesus Christ was jeered at by the Roman soldiers and by the onlookers when He was crucified. They said, "You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross" (Matthew 27:39-41). The robbers also reviled Him similarly. But Jesus interceded for them even in that painful and agonising circumstance.
Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do" (Luke 23:24). He forgave them without any bitterness in His heart. Because of His obedience and that He forgave them, God exalted His name above every name in Heaven and in earth that everything should bow down at His name and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:9-11).
Beloved! Let us also have this forgiving nature of God in our lives. Let us not repay evil for evil but pray for those who oppress us. Then God will bless us and exalt us before the very people who oppress us.
Prayer:
Loving Lord Jesus,
Forgive my sins and make me Your child. Fill me with Your love and divine nature of forgiveness and help me to forgive those who do evil to me. Teach me to pray for those who oppress me. Let people see You, Lord Jesus in me. I give You all glory, honour and praise.
Amen.
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