Father Forgive Them...

Jesus said, "Father, Forgive them, for they know not what they do...Luke 23:34

What has that got to do with the Season of Christ's birth. It is part of the Easter Story, so why bring it up now?

After all, Christmas is about Jesus coming to earth, a season of giving gifts, holly, jolly and all the rest. And now that it is over, we will soon celebrate the New Year with more parties and maybe some fireworks. 

Why throw that verse in now?

Well, let me ask you a question about this years long 'old year."  Or even the years that have passed, no matter how long ago.

Has anyone hurt you in 2020? Or in anytime in years before that?

I would say your answer would be: Yes. At least at some point in your past.

So then the question I have to ask is: Have you forgiven them?

I have learned a lot about forgiveness over my 60 plus years. And the reasons for having to has not been easy, nor are they fun. Because being hurt is not fun. 

I think the first time I really forgave someone was my mom. As a teen, I hadn't gotten along with her. And forgiveness for her didn't come until I was about 40 years old. At that time, I had a teenage daughter of my own, and well...I realized that I had no right to judge my mom until I could see her side from another side. 

Besides, I had not been a sinless teen myself. An nod doubt, she had had some real things to complain about me. About that time though I had read a book by a Christian counselor who stated that we have no right to hold unforgiveness to people who had hurt us, when Christ him self has forgiven us by dying on the cross.

Huh. I had never looked at that way. But he was right. And so I have tried hard to practice that in my life every since. And believe me, I have had lots of practice. 

At the same time, I have tried to ask forgiveness of those who I have hurt because it is never my intention to hurt anyone.

So getting back to why this subject now?

In a few days, we will start a new year. I sure pray it will turn out better then 2020. And with all that went on this year, we had no control over the virus that swept into our lives to take away what it has taken from us. But so far as forgiving other people, we do have control over that. We can choose to start the year with at least the determination to forgive those that have hurt us.

It's not easy, but it is possible. I have done other posts on forgiveness that maybe you have read already, or perhaps not. I suggest if you need to forgive but do not know how, you search for them. Or go to other Christian websites that can teach you how to forgive. Not only can you learn how to do that but other important things about how not to let others treat you the ways that are hurtful. Such as not being a doormat to people. There is more to unforgiveness, then just forgiving. Like you can forgive even if the other person doesn't accept it or will not also forgive you. 

And best of all, there is the best source and what it has to say about forgiving. And that is is the Bible. Because Jesus himself knew what it was. How could he forgive us if he didn't first give us his own example of it that day on the cross. 

We must learn to forgive, if we expect to receive his. For he says:

 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Mathew 6:14-15

If someone has hurt you and you have not forgiven them, start off the New Year by controlling the things you can. It can make a lot of difference to you and those around you.

Thanks for coming, Friends. I figured out what my problem was so hopefully will be back again tomorrow! Have a wonderful day and God bless you!