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Days ago I overheard a lady talking with her companion while riding the public jeepney. She said to the other, "It’s hard for me to forgive him! I was hurt! He can’t blame me! Only time will tell if I would be able to forgive him…."

I smiled upon hearing it but not because her voice was too loud and I couldn’t help but hear their conversation. I smiled because I remember how God forgave me from my sins and keeps on forgiving me over and over again. He was also hurt by the things I’ve done which is against His will but He NEVER say to me "Child, I don’t know if I can forgive you because you’ve hurt me so badly. Wait for time to heal the pain you’ve caused me and only then will I forgive you…" But rather in 1John 1:9 (NLT) it says, "but if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong." There were things I’ve learned about "forgiveness" from this verse:

(1) Forgiveness is a choice. I’m so glad that God chose to forgive us from our sins than leave us for eternal doom. If not for His love & forgiveness through Jesus Christ no one is saved from death and there will never be any hope for mankind.

(2) Forgiveness is not dependent on time. When someone asked for forgiveness for the wrong things he has done, the only right and godly response for a christian is "to forgive" right there and then. One does not need to wait for time to heal his pains before he can forgive the person who wronged him.

(3) Forgiveness is choosing not to remember. When God cleansed us from our sin He remembers it no more. In Hebrews 10:17 it says, "I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds…" It just simply says that when we forgive we don’t have to torture the person by reminding him his faults over and over again. But rather, you will choose not to entertain the thoughts of it when it enters your mind.

(4) Forgiveness is humility. When we don’t forgive a person it’s because we are too proud to do so. Christ humbled Himself even to a point of death on the cross just to forgive a wreckless sinner like us. Will we do it also for someone?

(5) Forgiveness is obedience to God. Even God demonstrated forgiveness through His Son Jesus Christ. And as Christians (which means ‘little Christs’) He expects us to do the same. "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. FORGIVE AS THE LORD FORGAVE YOU…" Colossians 3:12,13

Did someone offended me or has done me wrong? Did someone caused me great pain? How did I responded? Did I responded like Jesus or did I retaliated and fought back instead?

Dear God, Thank you so much for forgiving a sinner like me. Indeed, if I have really understood how much I have received through grace Your forgiveness for my sins, I will be greatly humbled always in Your presence. Cause me to respond right, whenever a person wronged me, by choosing to forgive the way Your Son –Jesus did when He was nailed on the cross for my sins. All for the glory of Your name! In Jesus name AMEN…