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Real Forgiveness – Part 8

bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:28

You must pray for them to be blessed! Are you serious? Absolutely! Real forgiveness is difficult because: a) it goes against our strongest impulses b) nobody else will ever know that we forgave the offence c) our hearts could break as God blesses the offender in answer to our prayers, and as if they'd never sinned against us.

Praying like this, to quote John Calvin: 'Is exceedingly difficult.' Chrysostom called it 'the highest summit of self-control.' Job's suffering didn't end until he prayed for those 'friends' who had become his thorn in the flesh (See Job 42:10). When we're able to pray this way we're becoming more like our heavenly Father. Listen: '...Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven...' (Matthew 5:44-45).

If you're saying: 'How can anybody live that way?' look at the life and death of Stephen. While his enemies were stoning him he prayed, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them' (Acts 7:60). Therein lay one of the secrets of his great effectiveness. So if you're asking, 'How can I know I'm walking in real forgiveness?' The answer is: a) you won't tell b) you won't intimidate c) you won't guilt-trip d) you'll let them save face e) you'll protect them from their greatest fear f) you'll do it for life g) you'll pray for them to be blessed.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me now to put into practice YOUR forgiveness in its fullness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen