It's so easy to live all wound up, tense and judgmental - quickly coming down on negative/bad behavior, but we're often less quick to impart peace, to let someone know that no matter what has happened in the past - we hold them harmless, exonerate them from any retaliation or emotional repercussions. Forgiveness means that as their weakness flows toward us (being injured themselves or hurt by others), our strength flows toward them (we go take up our cross of forgiveness and carry their burden of sin for them). When we respond in anger, the core of that is self-love whereas forgiveness requires self-sacrifice. To be broken and then forgive causes our suffering to be our glory. In 2Cor. 2, Paul adjures those who have been caused grief by others to forgive and comfort the offender, reaffirm your love and not allow the person who has offended to be swallowed up in grief over their sin. And repeatedly we are instructed to forgive in the same manner as Christ forgave us, even tying to it the forgiveness of the Father. For, forgiveness is our glorious warfare which can open up wells of revival in the midst of our lives, family and community. Forgiveness is a choice of will and the proofs of forgiveness are exemplified in Joseph's forgiveness of his brother, extending peace to them when they feared his retaliation.1. Like Joseph, you tell nobody what they did to you.
2. You don't let them be nervous around you or be afraid - you love them
3. You don't WANT them to be nervous or afraid around you
4. You let them save face
5. You protect them from their secret.
Maybe there's someone you need to extend forgiveness to? Forgiveness in the same manner that we, astoundingly, have been forgiven of ALL and brought into fellowship with the GODHEAD. Let the PEACE that passes understanding guard your heart and open it up to realms of deep forgiveness.
And Can It Be?
- And can it be that I should gain
An int’rest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?- Refrain:
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
- Refrain:
- ’Tis myst’ry all: th’ Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more. - He left His Father’s throne above—
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For, O my God, it found out me! - Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee. - No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own. - Story behind the hymn
- Song
Walking in peace, it takes courage. Repeatedly in Scripture, different ones are given the injunction: "Do not be afraid, be strong and of good courage." There are many, every day stories of courage to stand up against great opposition, stand for conviction like Kim Davis, who wouldn't back down and sign the homosexual marriage certificate and subsequently spent 6 days behind bars. But what I find to be my greatest struggle is not the courage to stand publicly on Biblical issues or points of conviction, but the courage to stand daily, quietly, firmly against my flesh and feelings. In the midst of a culture that is all about following your heart and your ever-changeable feelings, I find my biggest battle ground, my greatest need for courage. The courage not to stand for my own needs, desires or feelings but to lay them down to stand on God's truth, His joy, His sacrifice, His love. God grant me the courage to stand and fight the good fight of faith in my own heart and soul, the courage to respond in grace and gentleness when faced with disrespect, disregard, disinterest or distaste. The courage to love when it hurts and press through the pain to keep on loving. The courage to be vulnerable to know and be known, be let down and get back up. The courage to look with tenderness and kindness rather than shoot angry darts and hurtful glances. The courage to reveal the kingdom when life looks like the enemy's winning and hope is dying. The courage to get back up and have grace for myself when I've failed again, when my list is too long and my energy too short, when brokenness rather than joy seems to be my song. 
