Forgive That Sinner Over There!

"Why should I forgive him? He's not even sorry for what he did!" Those were my words to my mother as we were discussing a family member's hurtful actions. My wise mother had told me I needed to forgive this person. I figured that if he wasn't even sorry, I didn't need to forgive him. How silly to think I should! A couple of weeks later, I attended church. The pastor was preaching one of those sermons where you realized he had a video camera secretly following you around so he could preach a sermon just for you! He talked about how often he counsels people who have a problem with another family member. They are so upset with this person, it inhibits them from going on in life. They are bitter and it's taking over their daily living. He tells them they need to forgive this person. He says most of the time he gets this response, "WHY SHOULD I FORGIVE THEM! THEY AREN'T EVEN SORRY FOR WHAT THEY'VE DONE!" I'm sitting in the pew ready to say, "Amen!" I could sense that there was something wise about to be said that would require a more humble response. Sure enough....our pastor cited wisdom from God's word. "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8b Talk about conviction! I will never forget this sermon. The timing was incredible. Surely the sermon was directed at me. I could almost see Jesus standing behind his servant, our pastor, looking at me as he said those words. I forgave the family member and am still forgiving him. Just as Jesus forgave me and is STILL forgiving me! This family member is either a lost soul, or one that is way off the path and needs to return. As hard as it is sometimes, I stay in contact with him waiting and praying for the day I will have the opportunity to guide him or encourage him. I pray that day will come soon! "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:13-14