Respond and Forgive; as Christ Did
When someone hurts you deeply how do you react, and what do you do when they apologise? We need to do our best to show ourselves as followers of Christ in our every action. The Bible then is a good place to search if we want to gain wisdom so as to become more like Christ. When people offend us it is easy to say something rash in reply, it is better to think on our answers before we say something we will later regret. When someone who has hurt us deeply apologizes we should forgive them and show Christ in our actions.
When we feel offended, a hasty reply is the first thing that comes to mind, but as Proverbs 21:23 says;
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
A hasty reply is only likely to get you into more trouble or cause someone else to get hurt. Ephesians 4:29;
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Jesus sets a great example of forgiving those who hurt him deeply. He promises to forgive everyone who asks for it no matter how bad the sin against him. Our Lord Jesus forgives completely and utterly, even knowing our every though and action to the full extent against him. It says in Colossians 3:13;
Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
God forgave us so we also should forgive. There is another incentive for being forgiving in Matthew 6:14-15;
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
So we really must show mercy just as God has to us. It is often not easy for us to forgive someone for something that hurt us deeply, but Christ has done so much more. If we cannot forgive, neither will we be forgiven.
As Christians we are called to be like Christ; to be gracious, loving and compassionate, forgiving those who offend even if forgiveness is not asked for, if it is then all the more should we graciously forgive.
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