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Second
Second
Second Over and over again in Scripture, God stresses the forgiven person being roped

to the back of the person who
importance of forgiveness. Being a person who forgives is
chanceS
chanceS S
chance vital to having a right relationship with God and others. refuses to forgive. When you
Christ even said that we must forgive others in order to be
refuse to forgive another,
forgiven. (See Matt. 6:14-16.) So, how do we do it? How do
you are truly carrying them
around on your back, bearing
we actively pursue forgiveness in our lives?
The first key is accepting God’s forgiveness yourself.
By Amber Mushegan Jesus said that “the one who is forgiven little, loves little” the weight of that burden © istockPhoto
day after day. It hurts you
(Luke 7:47). In other words, if you haven’t accepted God’s so much more than it hurts
forgiveness and live in that them! When you choose to forgive, you release your burden
freedom yourself, there to the Lord and allow the person who has wronged you
FamOus seCOND is no way you will be able to be free. Remember that love does not keep a record of
ChaNCes to truly forgive others wrongs. When you forgive someone, you can release them
lucille ball. In 1927, and love as Christ loves. and give them a clean slate.
the actress was dismissed The ability to forgive is an What do you do if you just don’t feel like you can pos-
from drama school outpouring of Christ in sibly forgive someone? One of the best ways to align your
by teachers who said
she had no future as a us and is impossible apart heart with the heart of God is to simply pray for them.
performer. Later, she won from Him. Ask God to help you see them from His point of view, as a
four emmy Awards for So, you are living in person who is dearly loved and bought at a great price, just
her performance in God’s forgiveness and as you are. Pray for God to give you a love for the person
“I Love Lucy.”
want to forgive others, who has wronged you.
micHael JoRDaN. As a but how? Peter asked that Forgiving those you love is easier because you generally
high school sophomore, question of Christ, and the know that they most likely didn’t intend to hurt you. For-
Jordan was cut from the answer probably surprised giving those who seem unlovable is much more difficult
varsity basketball team.
He made the team the all who were listening. because it’s easier to stay angry with them. Pray for God to
next year and went on Peter wanted to know if he help you love them in humility, recognizing that God loves
to make history in the should forgive his brother 7 them as much as He loves you.
sport both in college and times, and Christ said not
the NBA.
just 7, but 70 times 7. (See
JoNaH. In the Old Matt. 18:21-22.) Remember that love does not
Testament, God The point? Forgiveness
instructed the prophet is a constant process, not keep a record of wrongs.
Jonah to go to Ninevah
and deliver God’s an instant one. Christ
Now, what happens after you forgive? I truly believe
message. Jonah ran wasn’t saying that we that obedience brings joy, and being obedient to God by
© istockPhoto / simon oxley obedient—even if it was number of times. He was forgiving others is a great reward in and of itself. But I
the other way. When
must only forgive a certain
rescued by God, he was
demonstrating that we
have also found that sometimes the results of forgiveness
with the wrong attitude.
are far-reaching—beyond what we can even imagine. For
must continue forgiving
again and again, giving the
kuRt waRNeR. In 1999,
example, in high school I had some friends who constantly
the quarterback led the
St. Louis rams to a Super
hard to swallow, but I made a conscious effort to forgive
dience until it is settled in
Bowl victory. By 2004 matter over to God in obe- ridiculed my faith. Their comments were often harsh and
or being a people who have been so freely forgiven, it sure is he’d been dismissed from our hearts. He knows it’s them and to show them that I loved them no matter what
they said. A few years after high school, one of those
not easy for us, but He calls
the rams and lost the
difficult for us to forgive, isn’t it? Our nature is to become angry starting QB position for us to be obedient and allow friends called me at college and apologized for how she had
the New York Giants. In
2009, he led the Arizona Him to work through us. treated me back then. She said she had accepted Christ and
and hope that others get what they deserve after they have hurt Cardinals to their first Unforgiveness is like couldn’t wait to tell me because I had shown her the love of
Super Bowl appearance a disease that will spread Christ when she seemed unlovable.
For wronged us in some way. But God gave His only Son to die and threw for 377 yards through your body like You never know what the impact of your choices will
despite the team’s loss.
in order to cover our sins in forgiveness. We certainly didn’t get what we wildfire. It will cause you be. The way you choose to live your life and your faith now
you. God loves you—too to wallow in anger and to can make an eternal difference. Just choose—every day,
deserved! Our God is the Giver of second chances! We all know that we much to leave you lost grow bitter and resentful, every moment, if need be—to live for God and be obedient
without purpose, trapped missing out on the joy to His Word. Walk in the freedom that forgiveness brings,
need second chances, but do you give them as well as take them? by sin. He gave you a that the Lord brings. The because you’ve been given a gift you can’t earn by a God
second chance in Christ.
Trust Him in all things, picture of unforgiveness in who will never love you any more or any less. You won’t
with all your heart. the Bible is that of the un- regret living in the power of that love. Ever! ec
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