Compassion & Forgiveness
Introduction.
Can't be unsaid. After such words leave our tongue, we long to unsay them, to call them back into our heart and keep them hidden until the feelings that forged them dissipate. But words cannot be unsaid. They may not have been meant, an exaggeration or even an untruth, but once spoken may imprison our friend in bitterness. “A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a castle” (Pr 18:19). The link is broken and the friend is now out of reach. It would be easier to break through the bars of a castle than to restore that relationship. Part of the reason for this is “the beginning of strife is like releasing water; therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.” (Pr 17:14). Such angry words are as a small breach in a dam. In a few moments such a small gap becomes a chasm that cannot be easily mended.
Compassion needed from others. Words spoken in anger unleash powerful emotions ripping through loyalty, friendship and trust, and they can’t be mended. Unless ... our friend has a heart filled with mercy and compassion.
Compassion offered to others. As children in his image and after his likeness we need to take this same compassion and freely offer it to any who offend us. If we are a “brother offended,” we must let ourselves be “won.” We must remove those bars of anger, bitterness and pain, and not just once or twice. Such forgiveness is offered “up to seventy times seven,” or “seven times in a day” (Mt 18:21-22; Lk 17:3-4).
Conclusion. With remorse and repentance from the offender and compassion and forgiveness from the one offended, no link will every be broken. So “whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses. (Mk 11:25-26).
The mercy we seek from God is the same mercy we freely give those who offend us. Just as we long to receive the peace and joy of forgiveness after offending God, we should long to give such peace and joy to others. When this becomes a natural part of us, we have truly “put on the new man.” “And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you” (Col 3:12-13).
- “Angry words are lightly spoken, Bitt’rest tho’ts are rashly stirred, Brightest links of life are broken, by a single angry word.”
Can't be unsaid. After such words leave our tongue, we long to unsay them, to call them back into our heart and keep them hidden until the feelings that forged them dissipate. But words cannot be unsaid. They may not have been meant, an exaggeration or even an untruth, but once spoken may imprison our friend in bitterness. “A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a castle” (Pr 18:19). The link is broken and the friend is now out of reach. It would be easier to break through the bars of a castle than to restore that relationship. Part of the reason for this is “the beginning of strife is like releasing water; therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.” (Pr 17:14). Such angry words are as a small breach in a dam. In a few moments such a small gap becomes a chasm that cannot be easily mended.
Compassion needed from others. Words spoken in anger unleash powerful emotions ripping through loyalty, friendship and trust, and they can’t be mended. Unless ... our friend has a heart filled with mercy and compassion.
- The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. Ps 103:9-13
Compassion offered to others. As children in his image and after his likeness we need to take this same compassion and freely offer it to any who offend us. If we are a “brother offended,” we must let ourselves be “won.” We must remove those bars of anger, bitterness and pain, and not just once or twice. Such forgiveness is offered “up to seventy times seven,” or “seven times in a day” (Mt 18:21-22; Lk 17:3-4).
Conclusion. With remorse and repentance from the offender and compassion and forgiveness from the one offended, no link will every be broken. So “whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses. (Mk 11:25-26).
The mercy we seek from God is the same mercy we freely give those who offend us. Just as we long to receive the peace and joy of forgiveness after offending God, we should long to give such peace and joy to others. When this becomes a natural part of us, we have truly “put on the new man.” “And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you” (Col 3:12-13).