FORGIVENESS AND CONSEQUENCES

Let’s face it, we all fall short in our relationships with family and friends. So there will be times when we will need others to forgive us of our wrongs. However, many people today expect to be forgiven by the offended person without any consequences for their actions. Suppose a friend stole money from you, but then later apologizes for the wrong he did against you. Sure, you may forgive him, but would you immediately trust him with your wallet? Of course not! He broke your trust and needs to earn it back. Let’s say your wife committed adultery against you with your best friend, they both seek your forgiveness, though hurt, you forgive them both, is this then grounds for them to assume you wholly trust them again, after they just broke that trust? No! Both your wife and best friend need to prove they can be trusted again. I’m sure more examples could be given, but you the reader get the point, there are consequences we suffer for the sins we commit against others. Since the Lord forgave us of our sins, it is only right to forgive our neighbor who sins against us. Keep in mind, just because someone forgives you, doesn’t mean you won’t suffer any consequences for your actions. Forgiveness requires our repentance, not just confessing the sin we committed. We need to show we are sorry by our action, because actions speak louder than our words.

Father, help us not to be so flippant about the sins we commit against others, especially those who are close to us. Help us to not only seek forgiveness from those we wrong, but be willing to prove we are sorry for the sin we committed against them. The trust others put in us ought to be always highly valued and kept at all cost. In Christ’s most precious name, Amen.