The World's Most Beautiful Sunset

Ephesians 4:21-27, “If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.”

If my dear Savior was willing to forgive me for the things in life I've done wrong, then I certainly can forgive everyone else for what they've done to hurt me. Until you've forgiven somebody who is wrong, and you are right, you've never tasted of the Heavenly manna.

Here are one dozen worthy quotes on forgiveness to ponder:

“He who has not forgiven an enemy has not yet tasted one of the most sublime enjoyments of life.” —Johann K. Lavater 

“Nothing in this low and ruined world bears the meek impress of the Son of God so surely as forgiveness.” —Alice Cary

“Humanity is never so beautiful as when praying for forgiveness, or else forgiving another.” —Jean Paul Richter 

“It's a choice, that's all it is. Forgiveness is a choice. And it's a choice you ask God to help you keep. It doesn't happen overnight. Forgiveness is an ongoing battle.” —Tammy Faye Bakker

“Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” —Mark Twain

“We win by tenderness; We conquer by forgiveness.” —Frederick William Robertson

“Never does the human soul appear so strong as when it foregoes revenge, and dares to forgive an injury.” —Edwin Hubbel Chapin

“Only the brave know how to forgive; it is the most refined and generous pitch of virtue human nature can arrive at.” —Laurence Sterne

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” —Mahatma Gandhi

“Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred.” —Corrie Ten Boom

“Not to forgive is to be imprisoned by the past, by old grievances that do not permit life to proceed with new business.” — Lance Morrow

“Forgiveness doesn’t make the other person right, it makes you free.” —Stormie Omartian

There is no greater feeling in all the world than to just forgive everyone. Let go and let God. I decided a long time ago to just forgive everybody, even those who have never asked for my forgiveness. Forgiving someone in no way excuses someone from the coming judgment from God for their wicked words and behavior. Forgiveness is releasing someone who has wronged you into God's hands for judgment. They're going to be judged by God whether you release them or not, but by placing the offender into God's hands you can find peace and move on.

This is why we are taught in Romans 12:19-21, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

I cherish this promise from almighty God. Nobody ever gets away with wrongdoing. NO ONE! Hebrews 4:13, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” One day in the afterlife, you and I and every human being who has ever walked this earth will be held accountable by our Creator for every word spoken (Matthew 12:36), every deed (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14), and even our very thoughts and motives (Proverbs 24:12). There is no escape!

On my website ministry, since 2002, I preach against many corrupt churches and wicked pastors. It's not a matter of forgiveness, any more than you could accuse John the Baptist of refusing to forgive Herod for sleeping with his brother's wife. John was being a preacher of righteousness and truth when he spoke out against Herod's sin, faithfully doing what God made him to do, preach. So, we must use wisdom to discern between Bible preaching which is necessary, versus refusing to forgive somebody on a personal level. Of all the ungodly pastors that I preach against, there's not one of them whom I hate or wouldn't befriend if they sincerely contacted me in a spirit of good will.

The main reason why it has been easy for me to forgive all my enemies is my faith in God, believing that the LORD will keep His solemn promise to avenge me. Just knowing that God won't allow those who have hurt me to go unpunished is enough to calm my soul. God's Word is enough for me. Matthew 8:8, “The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.” Jesus marvelled at the centurion's response, saying that He had not found such faith in all of Israel. I find it amazing that the “greatest faith” Jesus found in all the land wasn't from a Jew, but a Roman centurion. I think that is beautiful. A Gentile had the greatest faith!

The reason why many Christians become bitter and enraged with anger is simply because they don't really believe that God will make good on His promise to avenge them. Granted, it is difficult to wait a lifetime to be avenged, but God will make good on His promises to hold everyone accountable for their words and behavior. Even if someone intentionally ruined your day with their words, God will hold them accountable for their cruelty. Matthew 7:2, “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Truly, what goes around does come around.

Many people believe in karma. “Karma” is an ancient Indian term that refers to the principle of action and its consequences in various schools of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Taoism. Pastor Jack Hyles called it, The Reciprocating Law of Life. Regardless of what people may call it, God must balance the equation. If you hurt other people but don't suffer for it, then Jesus Christ must suffer for it. One way or another, somebody's got to pay! That is what Calvary's cross is all about. But if you reject God's free gift of forgiveness by refusing to receive Jesus as your personal Savior, then you alone will pay your debt of sin in Hell forever (Revelation 20:12-15). Somebody must pay for all wrongdoing.

The first words uttered by Jesus on the cross were: “Father, forgive them.” Forgive who? Herod, Pilate, Judas, the apostles who abandoned him, the solders who crucified Him. Luke 23:34, “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” The most Christlike thing you can do is to say: “Father, forgive them.” Who's that enemy you have? Who is it that has deeply hurt you? I can think of dozens of people who have deeply hurt me, especially pastors and pastor's wives. The Christian army is the only army in the world that kills its wounded.

God knows that I do not harbor hatred or bitterness against anyone. Life is too short to live with a burden of hatred dear reader. It has been rightly said that bitterness is the only container that dissolves itself. As I grow older, Lord willing, I choose to get better not bitter.

The world's most beautiful sunset is knowing at the end of each day that you have forgiven everyone, and you refuse to harbor bitterness toward anyone.

In some cases you will not be able to rectify, make restitution or reconcile with people you may have hurt in the past, simply because they have died or moved away and you wouldn't even know where to begin to contact them. God understands your circumstances friend. You can only do what you can humanly do. Make peace with those whom you can, and leave the rest in God's hands, committing your ways unto “he that keepeth thy soul” (Proverbs 24:12b).