Bacon, Eggs and God

Can You Forgive?

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Real Christians are courteous and polite. A Christ-like believer is not abrasive, crabby, or sour. Christianity does not lead its followers to violate the proper rules of social contact. The secret of true politeness is “benevolence;” a desire to make others happy. And a true Christian should be the most polite of people.

There is no Christ-like spirit in a sour, misanthropic temper; none in rudeness, stiffness, and repulsiveness; none in violating the commandments of God. Unfortunately, there is a hollow-heart, shallow politeness which Christians are to avoid.

Our politeness is to be based on “kindness.” Our courtesy is to be the result of love, good-will, and a desire of the happiness of all others. Such kindness will nurture the type of conduct that will render our conversation with others agreeable and profitable. Having a heart given to compassion that shows kindness to the faults of others is following the examples of Jesus Christ.

The word “forgive” is such a simple word; just two syllables. For and give. It literally means to give before. To give before what? Well, before someone deserves it. That’s what forgiveness is. By definition, when we forgive someone they haven’t earned it; it’s something we give before they earn it.

Dying on the cross, Jesus paid for all our failures (sins) before we ever deserved it.

And because of his kindness, all we have to do is to put our complete trust in his for-give-ness and it’s ours.

Imagine what a wonderful world it would be if people could just get past their bitterness.

If people would honestly and completely forgive others they would experience greater peace in their relationships. True forgiveness would allow couples to resolve their differences and work through the disagreements. I believe that forgiveness is the key to reducing the appalling divorce rate.