A Nugget on Forgiveness

It's my off from work today. I welcomed the morning with a smile and excitement to what this day would bring. True enough, this day was special, exceptional and personally different. Although I have no plan to blog today, what happened this morning made me say, 


"I need to write this to remember what the Lord did today."


I want to start my day with the Word. So I got up, took out my Bible, journal and pen. Just to make it different this time, I set up the laptop with speakers on. It's podcast this time. From an array of message series, I looked for the one I have not listened to yet. On and on I looked and checked. Then I found the icon,

Do you find it impossible to forgive someone who has offended and hurt you?

Is it keeping you from moving forward with your life?

Forgiving someone for an offense is never easy.

But there is a reason why God commands us to forgive.

It may be even more practical than you thought.

Read the passage with me:

Matthew 18:21-35

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

²¹ Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?”
²² Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
²³ “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴ As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. ²⁵ Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
²⁶ “The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ ²⁷ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
²⁸ “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
²⁹ “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’
³⁰ “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. ³¹ When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
³² “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. ³³ Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ ³⁴ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
³⁵ “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

Many things has been said and heard about forgiveness. Maybe most of us are already drowned with it. I do not want to bore you with things you already know (but still having a hard time doing) but, before you close or skip this post/blog, allow me to share these 3 nuggets:


How should we deal with offenses?

1. Admit that you are offended.  If there's an opportunity, go to the offender and admit that you have been offended . Or, at least be honest with yourself.
2. Choose to forgive. Choose to forgive whether the offender asked for forgiveness or not. Release and bless them. Remember how the Lord has forgiven you.
3. When forgiveness seems hard to do, look at the Cross. The message of the Cross is the ultimate sign, proof of God's forgiveness.

It's forgiveness in a nugget: ADMIT. CHOOSE. LOOK.

God's Word struck so strong, new and fresh. I know it's different this time. I think I will write this 3 nuggets in a small card and put it in my wallet or post it somewhere in my room. :)

The pastor invited the congregation to a time of prayer. Though I am listening just now through podcast, I followed and agreed in prayer. I am not going to say here what exactly happened, but this I will tell you: the Lord met me where I am in this. It was through His gentle ways I responded to His call. It was a moment I didn't want to miss. 

I am always humbled as I reflect on God's love and forgiveness - how He has given His life on the cross, so that we might live. He has forgiven and loved us from the beginning though undeserving. He never fails and He never will. His forgiveness has no limitations. His forgiveness demands no performance on our part - just accept and believe. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. (Ephesians 1:7-8)

In response, love and forgiveness must be extended to others. As human as I am, it was and it is hard. And I know it will get harder as situations become tougher along the way, but I believe that God's grace is more than enough to carry me through the coming days. 

I know the Lord wants me to get it. And to Him now I say,

I got it.

Once again, ADMIT. CHOOSE. LOOK. A nugget, it really is.

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* If you know & understand my language and you wish to listen to the same message (some parts were in English), click here. 
Confused which one? Forgiveness by Sonny Oaman - that's it. :)