How Is Compassion Related to Forgiveness?

Extending forgiveness is the most important undertaking a person will ever attempt. It goes far beyond just saying, “I forgive you.” When God forgives us, he completely forgets our sins. We, however, can’t forget so completely, but when we sincerely forgive, punishment or revenge-seeking is not pursued.

If forgiveness has taken place, the wounds inflicted by the offense begin to heal. To demonstrate your sincerity in forgiving an offense, the moment the offense is remembered, immediately turn it over to God. He will help you go through the process of forgiving the offender again by instilling in you a heart of compassion.

Asking God to cleanse you from anger, resentment, and hate is another way to demonstrate your desire to forgive. When you ask God to forgive you, he acts with compassion and pity and erases your offense from his memory. To forgive authenticates the compassion Jesus extended to you.  

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There is no other god like you, O Lord; you forgive the sins of your people who have survived. You do not stay angry forever, but you take pleasure in showing us your constant love.

~Micah 7:18 Good News Bible

 

Peter came up to the Lord and asked, “How many times should I forgive someone who does something wrong to me? Is seven time enough?” Jesus answered, “Not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!”

~Matthew 18:21-22 Contemporary English Version

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Breaking News: Evil is a Choice

Each day TV news breaks stories of hatred being acted out, which questions the safety and stability of our world. Whether it's a bomb or a person with automatic weapons whose purpose is to kill, hate is a powerful force that affects each of us. When you feel hate, what is the purpose of your hatred?

 

Hate is a choice whose purpose is to get revenge, teach a lesson and cause pain and suffering. We learn this lesson from the evil of hatred as it possesses a person’s mindset and behavior. Once hatred takes possession, the ability to discriminate between hate and righteousness tends to disappear. 

   

          Booker T. Washington gives us this godly wisdom, “Let no person pull you so low as to make you hate them.” 1 John 2:9 issues this warning, “He who says he is in the light of God and hates others is still in darkness.” So, permit the saving power of Christ Jesus to cleanse the darkness and the evil of hatred completely from your life. He will do it.