Forgive Them Because They Need It…Just Like You Did

Forgive Them Because They Need It...Just Like You Did

bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” – Colossians 3:13

When someone wrongs you how do you deal with it?

Do you forgive?

I used to watch the show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. (Don’t judge me!) There’s one scene in the show that has stuck with me years later. There was a guy who had killed someone and was looking for forgiveness, but no one would forgive him. Buffy said, “Good! He doesn’t deserve it.” Then Giles (a sort of mentor) said to her,

“To forgive is an act of compassion, Buffy. It’s not done because people deserve it, it’s done because they need it.”

I’m not recommending the show, but in this case, Giles nailed it. Forgiveness is an act of love. It’s not earned or deserved because we can’t earn it and don’t deserve it. It’s given out of love because we need it.

So, we forgive each other because the person needs it. Jesus forgave us when we needed it. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. We didn’t deserve it, but we certainly needed it. In His great love, He has forgiven you.

You have been forgiven of much and you can forgive others. It restores relationships and brings healing and peace. Truthfully, it also heals us. Bitterness is destructive.

God has given you a great gift by forgiving you and has given you the ability to give that gift to others.

Is there someone you need to forgive? Maybe it’s time.

Heavenly Father,

I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. I know I don’t deserve it, but please forgive me. I know You promise that You do. Thank You. Please help me to forgive others as You have forgiven me.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt