Forgiveness DNA

...as the Lord
has forgiven you,
so you also
must forgive.

Colossians 3:13b

Carly never knew how her sister was going to treat her when she came to visit. There were moments when there seemed to be a flicker of hope, but, then it would be snuffed with harsh words, condescension, insults, rebuke. The cycle repeated itself over and over again–emotional injuries and the necessity of forgiveness.

Jesus addressed the need for forgiveness, even at his death, Father, forgive them (Luke 23:34). Forgiveness is an absolute when it comes to following Jesus. He sets the bar of willingness to forgive. Jesus didn’t hold close the hurts, rejection, betrayal that were hurdled towards him, repeatedly. Even knowing the outcome, he kept Judas on as a disciple, never wavered with Peter, and had compassion for the uppity desires of James and John. Forgiveness was a part of Jesus’ DNA.

In following such an amazing God, why is forgiveness so difficult? To admit to ourselves that our actions, choices, responses need forgiveness requires that we take an inward look. Upon discovering that our own emotional DNA is lacking we find we don’t like what we see. To forgive the one who has caused so much hurt is to acknowledge that, in the eyes of Jesus, we are exactly the same as the offender.

Forgiving the person in one's life that repeatedly inflicts hurts probably won’t come naturally. But, the truth is, that Jesus instinctively forgives and in order to fully grasp what He does for us on a daily basis a forgiving "second" nature will need to develop.

Jesus, thank you for
instinctively forgiving me.
I need a forgiving "second" nature.
I’ve been hurt but help me to be like You,
not holding on but forgiving
in the same way
I have been forgiven.
Amen.