Love & Forgiveness

JUST few days ago, our nation that was always looked up as a peaceful, multi-racial and multi-cultural country was slapped with one of the worst religiously motivated attack on churches in our country’s history.

The arson attack on four churches in Klang Valley have been condemned by our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as well as political leaders of both the ruling and opposition parties.

Some call this the black day and some others say that this is truly a sad day for Malaysia. This is an act of extremism, which could dampen the government’s effort in promoting 1Malaysia concept.

Never the less, the beauty of these scenario is that the leaders of the Metro Tabernacle Church - that was badly effected in these incident - said that they do not harbour any ill-feelings against the culprits but choose to forgive those responsible.

The senior pastor of the church, Rev Ong Sek Leang was quoted saying: “We have a congregation of about 1,700 who are Godly and forgiving.”

That is a peaceful and Christ-like remark. I salute them for their stand. This shows their true Christian spirit of love and forgiveness.

Nowadays, we can see lack of love and problem of forgiving all around us, even within the church. Therefore, we have to be careful.

These are the days, whereby we should be alert and be ready to go through all temptations and trials just as Jesus went through all.

For sure, we cannot bear or to go through temptation and trials by ourselves, but be sure that by the power of the Holy Spirit and with the help of God, it is possible for us to do anything including "forgiving".

First of all let us see what the word of God says : – “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

(Matthew 5:44). Auch! How could we forgive or love our enemies when we do not have the heart to forgive our brothers and sisters in Christ?

But let me tell you that Jesus our LORD says : “If someone slaps you on your left cheek, give also the right side.” – This shows that we should forgive ‘on the spot’ anyone who hurts us. Easy to say, takes courage to practice.

We may ask: “How many times must we forgive the one who keeps on sinning against us?” Jesus ask us to forgive seventy times seven and the forgiveness must be from our heart. – Please see Matthew 18:21-35.

It is written in Matthew 6:14,15 - “If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you, your Father in heaven will also forgive the wrongs you have done.”

Also in Luke 17:3,4 it says: “If your brother sins, rebuke him and when your brother repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times a day, and each time he comes to you saying I repent, you must forgive him.”

“And when you stand and pray, forgive anything you may have against anyone, so that your Father in heaven will forgive the wrongs you have done.” – Mark 11:25,26.

“Instead, be kind and tender hearted to one another and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ.” - Ephesians 4:32.

Let us see what Apostle John says in 1 John 2:9,10 –

“Whoever says that he is in the light, yet hates his brother, is in the darkness to this very hour. Whoever loves his brother lives in light, and so there is nothing in him that causes someone else to sin.”

From this verse, we can see that we are the people of light who have to shine just as Jesus shone; And let us work hard to bring the people in the darkness to the light; Amen!

We cannot say ‘No!’ in order to forgive and to love others, for Jesus never said that to us while we were still sinners.

Maybe it is quite hard for us to forgive someone who is a Christian or a close friend who have hurt us, than to forgive a non-believer, but Christ says: “Forgive and you’ll be forgiven,” and the word of God in – Romans 12:10 says

“Love one another warmly as Christian brothers and be eager to show respect to one another.”

We have to know that these incidents are brought to us by the evil one. So we as Christians must go against our only enemy, Satan ; for it is quoted in the Bible in Romans 12:21 – “ Do not let the evil defeat you; instead, conquer evil with good. ”

So how are we going to conquer evil with good if we do not want to forgive or love?

Anyway, let us try our best to practice them, for Jesus himself told in John 13:34,35 – “…love one another as I have loved you, you must love one another. If you’ve love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.”- From this particular verse, we can see that our Lord is commanding us to be a good example.

Just say, “If someone has done you wrong; do not repay him with wrong. Do everything possible on your part to leave in peace with everybody” - Romans 12:17,18.

We must not revenge anyone, for it’s written in Romans 12:19 – “Never take revenge my friends, but instead let God’s anger do it. For the scripture says: I will take revenge, I will pay back, says the Lord.” – So why must we worry?

And when you pray, “Ask God to bless those who persecute you – yes ask Him to bless, not to curse” – Romans 12:14.

Let us pray, “God, forgive us the wrongs we have done, as we forgive the wrongs that others had done us.” (Matthew 6:12 ). Teach us Lord to love as you have loved us and proved it by giving your life for us – Amen.

B.Kumarathevan.