May God forgive us for turning THIS into a selfish act …
Leave it to us human beings to make the topic of forgiveness an act of selfishness.
Here’s one example of a very common message about forgiveness:
Forgiveness is discussed and described often and broadly among Christians and non-Christians alike. Unfortunately, we’ve warped this critical topic into something “all about us.” You’ll routinely hear people talk about how not forgiving others wrecks our lives (true!), and how forgiving others benefits yourself (also true!). Rarely do you hear any discussion about how forgiving others mirrors the graciousness and character of God!
The Apostle Paul didn’t miss this key to forgiveness:
“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you,” Ephesians 4:32.
How did God forgive us?
Selfishly so He would feel better about maintaining a relationship with us?
Selfishly to avoid bitterness in His holy heart?
Selfishly to free Himself from holy resentment?
Scripture tells us this: “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners,” Romans 5:8.
God forgave our sins because He loves us! When we were at our worst, He acted in love.
In the Garden of Gethsemane we see Jesus didn’t relish having to endure the cross as the means of providing forgiveness of our sins, but in spite of His feelings He acted in love, in our best interest at the expense of His own.
That’s how we should forgive one another “… just as God through Christ …” forgave us. Not from selfish reasoning, but because the One who is love has forgiven us, and is transforming us to be like Him. That means being able to act in love even when others are at their worst.
Are your expressions of forgiveness an act of love, or an act of selfishness?
Scotty
April 14, 2014 at 11:04 pm
I have forgiven but not forgot some people think it is a selfish act but it is not the act of forgiveness that is selfish it is the people who seek self worth and make themselves feel big. These are the people who are closed minded. However, the people who believe in forgiveness as an act of kindness not as a selfish act. These are his words and his love. He help people he forgave not for personal gain he forgave and helped them.
That is not selfish.
April 14, 2014 at 11:09 pm
It was not a selfish act God forgave there sins so they could be help. It is only those with high self worth that make forgiveness
selfish for personal gain. To make themselves look good.
However, we all realise that to so it may appear selfish but it is?
No it is an act of kindness and show that compassion a great hand to help just like he helped us to realise that to change.
first I need to forgive.
April 14, 2014 at 11:19 pm
Danielle, no it wasn't selfish of God to forgive us, it was very gracious of Him! Likewise, we need not make forgiveness a selfish act, but one of grace, the same way God, through Christ, forgave us.