By Pastor William Y. K. Brown Ph.D
(Resident Pastor)
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Osu-Bethel.
Tel: 0244165628/0243310773.
wykbrown@gmail.com
THURSDAY
THEME: THE COST OF AN UNFORGIVING STANCE
SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 2:7,10
“[7]so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him , lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. [10]Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,”
REFLECTIONS
Recall to mind a promising relationship that ended abysmally and disappointingly. Reflect on your regrets for not forgiving someone before the person passed on. Think about the pain you have endured for not simply forgiving your offender. A careful study and analysis of the impact of not forgiving the offender reveals how costly it is compared to offering forgiveness. By offering forgiveness to the offender and the undeserved, lives have been preserved, and relationships have been maintained for the good of individuals, families, societies, and nations. God’s willingness to forgive a rebellious world and people has given human beings hope of eternal life. The whole human race would have been extinct had it not been for God’s generous offer of pardon to all who come to Him.
The results are devastating when individuals, families, communities, groups, and nations refuse to forgive when they have been hurt. Relationships destroyed, marriages broken, children’s futures placed in awkward positions, businesses collapsed, friends turned enemies, and trusts betrayed and revoked; there is no guarantee of safety, peace, or unity amid an unforgiving environment. It is a fact that the individual, family, group, society, community, and nation can experience serious repercussions for refusing to forgive. Take, for example, Hamas’ revenge attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which caused the massacre of 1,139 people and injured 8,730 others. This provoked Israel, who, in response, has killed 33,482 people and injured at least 76,049 as of today. The escalation of hostilities has brought untold hardships to innocent individuals in Gaza especially. The reprisal has been costly to the parties involved and the world at large. Innocent humanitarian workers have been killed in the process of providing relief, leaving their families, organizations, and nations behind. Unless we practice forgiveness, there can be no peace – not at the individual, family, group, societal, or national levels.
We are privy to stories and instances where the lives and the future of some children have been ruined because of divorce that resulted from an unwillingness to forgive the offender. Many marriages are on the rocks, and couples are contemplating divorce because each party is not willing to let go and forgive. As long as an offense is brooded over, Satan will fester the wounds, make them unhealing, and eventually lead to undesirable outcomes. Promising teams have lost great competitions because of the refusal to forgive the error of a team member. Murder and serious atrocities have taken place under our watch as a result of people’s refusal to forgive their offenders. Instances where people have agreed to forgive, peace has been restored, and development and progress have resulted.
God promises in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” God is always willing to forgive the offender; He expects us to emulate Him. David sought unity that is premised on forgiving one another. In Psalms 133:1,3, he says, [1]Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! [3]It is like the dew of Hermon Descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forevermore.” It can be painful to forgive, but it is rather suicidal not to forgive. Forgiveness is sacrificial, but great sacrifices have saved and restored nations and humanity in general.
A survey conducted in the US by the Fetzer Institute reported that 62 percent of American adults say they need more forgiveness in their personal lives. The same or even worse results will be seen globally. Beloved, you have the free will to make a choice. Your decisions determine who you are and what life means to you. Make the right decision to forgive, be free, and stay healthy. We have to pray for the spirit of forgiveness.
MY SONG OF COMMITMENT
SDAH 301 – “Nearer, Still Nearer”
LET US PRAY
– Praise and thank God for His forgiveness and welcome; thank God for forgiving and restoring you; pray for the spirit of forgiveness and ability to love the offender back;
– Pray for couples that are on the verge of divorce; pray for families who experience persistent anger and resentment for not forgiving one another;
– Pray for all God’s children who have been hurt but are willing to forgive for Christ’s sake; pray for broken relationships between children and parents to be restored;
– Pray for Christian communities to exercise forgiveness, for Church members to learn to forgive others and grow together in spirit, and for the love of Christ to permeate our society.
