Skip to main content

The Power of Forgiveness Part 2

January 19, 2012
Today's Truth

The LORD said to me again, 'Go, show your love to a woman loved by someone else, who has been unfaithful to you. In the same way the LORD loves the people of Israel, even though they worship other gods and love to eat the raisin cakes.' So I bought her for six ounces of silver and ten bushels of barley. Then I told her, 'You must wait for me for many days. You must not be a prostitute, and you must not have sexual relations with any other man. I will act the same way toward you.' In the same way Israel will live many days without a king or leader, without sacrifices or holy stone pillars, and without the holy vest or an idol. After this, the people of Israel will return to the LORD their God and follow him and the king from David's family. In the last days, they will turn in fear to the LORD, and he will bless them (Hosea 3:1-5, NCV).

Friend to Friend

True forgiveness always requires sacrifice on our part - a truth that may often seem unfair in human terms. After all, we are the ones who have been hurt. Why should we have to sacrifice anything? Shouldn't the people who hurt us be the ones who have to make the first move and offer the biggest sacrifice? True forgiveness - God's forgiveness - defies human logic and cannot be explained in human terms. Human forgiveness is easier but a shallow substitute and cheap imitation for the amazing power of God's forgiveness.

Hosea was married to a woman who hurt and humiliated him. Scripture does not say Gomer ever repented and asked for Hosea's forgiveness. But that did not stop Hosea from forgiving her. In fact, Hosea sacrificed his pride and his human rights in order to forgive Gomer. Hosea's forgiveness also required a financial sacrifice.

Hosea had to sacrifice materially.

Hosea had to buy back his own wife. Seriously? Gomer was damaged goods and she definitely was not on sale. The price was substantial. Six ounces of silver and ten bushels of barley was the going price of a slave and since prophets are definitely not in the top income bracket, the payment was a great financial sacrifice for Hosea. Gomer's own sin had placed her in bondage. Even so, Hosea was willing to make a financial sacrifice in order to fulfill his commitment in marriage. Love that never gives up is willing to pay a price, to sacrifice so people in bondage can be set free.

Mother Teresa said, "Love, to be real must cost. It must hurt. It must empty us of self!" The words of King David reveal the essence of love and forgiveness. "No, I must pay the full price. I won't give an offering that costs me nothing" (1 Chronicles 21:24, ICB).

Hosea could have played it safe. Nowhere in Scripture does it suggest Gomer wanted his forgiveness, and Hosea had no guarantee she would not do the very same thing again. He took a huge risk in bringing Gomer home. What passes for true love is often little more than a convenient emotional arrangement. Someone is kind to us so we are kind in return. Someone treats us badly, so we don't get mad, we get even. Sound fair? Seem reasonable? Yes, but only in human terms. Love that never fails goes beyond reason and refuses to settle for justice alone but insists on granting mercy.

I love the story of a doctor who told the little boy that he could save his sister's life by giving her some of his blood. "Johnny, are you sure you want to give your blood for Mary?" the doctor asked. The boy hesitated for several moments; his lips trembled as tears filled his eyes. His parents and the doctor assured Johnny that the procedure would not be very painful and would be over with quickly. Finally, he smiled bravely and said, "Sure Doc. I'll give my blood for my sister." As the transfusion took place, the little girl began to respond immediately. Parents, doctors and nurses erupted into cheers and applause. When the ordeal was almost over, Johnny's brave little voice was heard, "Hey, Doc, when do I die?" A stunned silence fell across the room. The doctor and parents suddenly realized what Johnny was thinking. Johnny thought when he gave his blood to his sister, he would die - a very high price he was willing to pay.

Love that never fails is willing to pay a great price and make a great sacrifice. Love that never fails is yours to receive and yours to give.

Let's Pray

Father, I come to You today, asking first for Your forgiveness for the sin in my life. I choose to turn from that sin and obey you. Thank You for your grace and mercy. Give me the strength and power to extend that same mercy and grace to those in my life who have hurt me.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Acción de gracias por dones espirituales

Gracias doy a mi Dios siempre por vosotros, por la gracia de Dios que os fue dada en Cristo Jesús;   porque en todas las cosas fuisteis enriquecidos en él, en toda palabra y en toda ciencia;   así como el testimonio acerca de Cristo ha sido confirmado en vosotros,   de tal manera que nada os falta en ningún don, esperando la manifestación de nuestro Señor Jesucristo;   el cual también os confirmará hasta el fin, para que seáis irreprensibles en el día de nuestro Señor Jesucristo.   Fiel es Dios, por el cual fuisteis llamados a la comunión con su Hijo Jesucristo nuestro Señor.    Os ruego, pues, hermanos, por el nombre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, que habléis todos una misma cosa , y que no haya entre vosotros divisiones , sino que estéis perfectamente unidos en una misma mente y en un mismo parecer .   Porque he sido informado acerca de vosotros, hermanos míos, por los de Cloé, que hay entre vosotros contiendas.   Quiero decir, que cada uno de vosotros dice: Yo soy de Pablo; y y
1 comment
Read more

Pablo reprende a Pedro

Pero cuando Pedro vino a Antioquía, le resistí cara a cara, porque era de condenar. Pues antes que viniesen algunos de parte de Jacobo, comía con los gentiles; pero después que vinieron, se retraía y se apartaba, porque tenía miedo de los de la circuncisión. Y en su simulación participaban también los otros judíos, de tal manera que aun Bernabé fue también arrastrado por la hipocresía de ellos. Pero cuando vi que no andaban rectamente conforme a la verdad del evangelio, dije a Pedro delante de todos: Si tú, siendo judío, vives como los gentiles y no como judío, ¿por qué obligas a los gentiles a judaizar? Nosotros, judíos de nacimiento, y no pecadores de entre los gentiles, sabiendo que el hombre no es justificado por las obras de la ley, sino por la fe de Jesucristo, nosotros también hemos creído en Jesucristo, para ser justificados por la fe de Cristo y no por las obras de la ley, por cuanto por las obras de la ley nadie será justificado. Y si buscando ser justificados en Cristo, tamb
Post a Comment
Read more

Leer hoy

Leer hoy: Mateo 10:26-42; Levíticos 9,10; Proverbios 23. Señor, tu eres mi Dios reconocerlo todos los días te hará mucho bien; Isaías 25:1 si aun no le conoces dejame lo saber con gusto te lo presento. Jesus es su nombre!! Dios te bendiga!! Orar sin cesar!!! Amen!!
Post a Comment
Read more