The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
Chapter 2 Verses 7, 10 (a)
7 So that now contrariwise ye ought rather to
forgive him, and comfort him, lest the same should
be swallowed up with overmuch heaviness.
10 To whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also: for
verily if I forgave anything, to whom I forgave it, for
your sakes forgave I it in the sight of Christ,
(a) Editor’s thought - I once had a pastor who said something along these lines; that anger, leads to non-forgiveness and non-forgiveness leads to hatred. It is likened to drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. Yesterday, my pastor spoke on forgiveness, and he also had some wonderful insight. ( btw, I had just read these verses the day before and was mulling over it’s meanings and how it related to me), He said that when one does not forgive it is like being a jailer. Yes the offender is behind bars, but the jailer must sit outside the cell day in, day out to be certain he stays there in his punishment. So who then is really free? Neither, for the offender is saddled with one’s debt, the burden of committing offense, and the recipient of that offense is also in bondage, making sure that the former is never set free of guilt, and is ever reminded. Forgiveness sets both of them free. Let us be, as the Psalmist has said; Slow to anger and quick to forgive.
Related Scripture
Psalm 37:8; Psalm 103:8; Psalm 145:8; Proverbs 15:18; Proverbs 16:22; Joel 2:13; Matthew 6:12-15; Mark 11:25-26; Luke 6:37; Luke 17:3-4; 1 John 1:9;
Suggested additional study/reading for today Matthew 18 and to think on the below. If I might be allowed to step outside of God’s Word for moment;
The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown.
His scepter shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings.
But mercy is above this sceptered sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings;
It is an attribute of God himself;
And earthly power doth then show like God's
When mercy seasons justice.
Therefore;
Though justice be thy plea, consider this:
That in the course of justice none of us
Should see salvation. We do pray for mercy,
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy.
William Shakespeare - The Merchant of Venice - Act IV Scene I
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