Forgiveness: One Facet of Self-Control

~~~ Titus 1:1-9 ~~~ Psalm 24 ~~~ Luke 17:1-6 ~~~

 

Here Paul is speaking about the local bishops,

but we need to heed this same message

as followers of Jesus.

 

"...as God's steward...

...but hospitable, a lover of goodness,
temperate, just, holy, and self-controlled,
holding fast to the true message as taught..."

 

We are the people who long to see the face of God.

In order to come into the presence of his face it is necessary

to be convinced of the importance of living in goodness,

temperance, and holiness.

To insure that we are not a source of sin to another

we must strive for self control in all areas of our life.

If we practice self control we will have a greater chance

of maintaining our call to holiness.

 

 

Self control has many components; one being forgiveness.

Forgiveness is something we most probably will work on

for our entire life time.

 

If we actively practice forgiveness with the small offenses in our life

we will be better prepared to extend forgiveness

for the more serious situations.

Self control to forgive and not retaliate.

 

I continue to be blown away by the number of people

who forgive those who have committed a serious crime against them.

Perhaps if we heard more from these individuals

we could all learn how they manage something so difficult.

People have forgiven murders, rapists, and abusers;

 to name just a few.

 

"...If your brother sins, rebuke him;
and if he repents, forgive him.
And if he wrongs you seven times in one day
and returns to you seven times saying, 'I am sorry,'
you should forgive him."

If someone wrongs you seven times in the same day

you might question whether or not he was sincere about his repentance.

But Jesus is saying instead to keep forgiving the person;

to rebuke or correct him.

 

Does this attitude of forgiveness predispose you to becoming a victim?

Jesus certainly does not say that or imply victim hood.

 

Jesus taught us how to forgive even when facing unwarranted death.

He forgave his accusers and those who drove the nails into his hands and feet.

 

He gave them the benefit of the doubt right up until his final breath.

Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.

 

The other side of this equation is for us to seek forgiveness

right away if we have hurt another person.

Even if the other person does not grant us forgiveness we

must express our remorse for what we have done.

 

It is through our faith and conviction that we offer forgiveness

 to one who has harmed us.

It is by exercising great self control, through grace,

 that we can forgive.

If we do hope to ever see his face then we must

learn to forgive.

Forgiveness requires love, faith, and trust.