As we forgive those…

       As the morning service in ECWA Good news Church drew to a close, attendees were all engrossed with saying the Lord’s Prayer. I could bet on my years of attending services that every lip was saying the customary prayer. My lips were saying it with such vigor too. Then a thought hit me hard: as we forgive those who trespass against us…really? Do we forgive as often as people sin against us? My lips shut immediately and my heart listened to every word ringing through the auditorium. How often I am not forgiven not because it’s God’s fault, but simply by my own act of unforgiveness.

     We love to say the Lord’s Prayer with so much enthusiasm and ownership. These days it is just a mantra; we say it, sing it, love it but do not do it. Forgiveness is a choice. We choose to not forgive. I guess God put the ball right in our court so we could determine the scores. The terms are quite unambiguous, laid down simply and fairly-if you ever hope to be forgiven, forgive!

Humans love to get even; even when we are insulted, even when someone drives wrongly, even when we are ignored. But Jesus puts it profoundly when he was met by an honest enthusiast about how often we must forgive:

Jesus replied, “Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven. (MSG)

In the following verses Jesus is telling a story about two servants who owed a great amount of cash and were unable to pay back…we know the story (Matt 18:23-35). Jesus closes with this statement:

“And that’s exactly what my father in heaven will do to each one of you who does not forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy.”(MSG)

So, here is a little assignment, when next you have the opportunity to say the Lord’s Prayer (you would if you go to church), listen to you yourself.

Remember: an eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind-Mahatma Gandhi