FORGIVE YOUR ENEMIES
by claribel santiago

"For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!"Matt 18:7

I have read this verse so many times, that until recently, it had lost its meaning. This past week I actually grasped its impact.

For the last several days, I’ve been placed in situations that have tested my resolve to obey the command in Matthew 5:39 "If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” It is as if God were reminding this is the part of my character He wants to develop. How easy it can be to lash out at others who have hurt, misjudged, or insulted us, but Jesus showed us that there is actually another way.

Seventy times seven

While the flesh may seek the satisfaction to avenge our hurts, the Bible clearly tells us that as believers, we must make the choice to turn away and forgive. Our faith cannot be measured by the abundance of knowledge, where we serve, our position in the Church, or even how much money we give to great causes. Our faith can only be measured by the choices we make when we are faced with temptation. Will we choose to sin, believing there is no one around who knows us to see our behavior; or will we follow Jesus' example and turn the other cheek?

What was the insult or injury? How deep or how extensive? If it is bad enough, perhaps we don't have to forgive? What about if the person doesn't ask for forgiveness, or is unrepentant? Well, if you ask God, it doesn't matter. When asked by Peter how many times he should forgive, Jesus said to him "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. " Matthew 18:22

Offenses will come

While I sat contemplating my choices on how to respond to the accusations and insults being hurled at me, I could feel my flesh rising in indignation. I could feel the words pushing, trying to come forth out of my mouth, as a growing desire to lash out and set the culprits straight kept growing within me. But, during those moments while I struggled to process the information and emotions going on inside, I could hear the distinct and quiet voice of my Savior telling me "let it go, I see what's happening, let it go." I could feel His Spirit nudging me to be still, as my humanity cried out "Satisfy me! Satisfy me!".

As I considered a response, I recalled the words of Jesus in Matthew 18:6-7 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone where hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!"

I stopped. I knew I did not want to be the one through whom offenses would come.

Choose this day

Our lives are filled with choices. The choice to respond to an insult by insulting, to lash out at those who hurt us, or close our hearts and ears to God in order to satisfy our flesh. Yet, in order to achieve true victory we must choose daily to do what's right, even if "what's right" doesn't feel so good.

"But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD ."
Joshua 24:15