Forgiveness

As we grow in the Lord, God places us in certain situations, that allows us to make certain choices that reveal to us our true character. One of those situations is in the area of forgiveness. When we get saved we are forgiven for every transgression, but even though God has forgiven us, wrongs that we have committed against others may not be. In the book of Philemon, Onesimus was a run-away slave that later was led to Christ by the Apostle Paul. Although he was now saved he still needed to right his wrongs with his owner, Philemon. Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon to correct his wrong. Onesimus sought forgiveness, but Philemon was asked to grant it. After we’re saved, we may be asked by God to right past wrongs. It may be that God would have us humbly seek forgiveness, or possibly humbly grant it to another. In both cases it takes a strong character to admit wrong or forgive the wrong of another. To often we sweep under the rug the very things that God wants us to deal with. (Eph 4:32) “ And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” So learn the character trait of forgiveness, and experience the joy that will come from it.