As We Forgive, the award-winning documentary by Laura Waters Hinson, portrays the pain and hope of two Rwandan women as they face the men who brutally murdered their families during the 1994 genocide. Catherine Claire Larson, author of the film- inspired book bearing the same title, believes that these women possess a message that we all need to hear.
“If Rwandans can find the courage to forgive,” Larson writes, “then perhaps there is hope for us in those problems that seem to pale in comparison and in those that echo the horrors of genocide.”
When someone has wronged us by word or deed, forgiveness rarely arises naturally or willingly. We are commanded by Jesus, however, to forgive “those who sin against us” (Matthew 6:12).
Forgiveness is an oft-repeated theme in the New Testament. In Matthew 18, Jesus stated that God requires us to “forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart” (v.35). The apostle Paul reiterated this exhortation: “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (Colossians 3:13).
Author Jerry Bridges writes, “In order to forgive our brother, we must be satisfied with God’s justice and forgo the satisfaction of our own.” Bridges continues, “God is the perfect example of one who forgives. He is so rich in mercy, and ‘He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life’ ” (Ephesians 2:4-5).
As we forgive others, we reveal the forgiving heart of God.
More:
“Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21-22).
Next:
Is there someone you’ve been struggling to forgive? How can God’s forgiveness help you to forgive this person?
tunny14 on February 16, 2010 at 8:12 am
thanks be to God..
MommaJ on February 16, 2010 at 8:25 am
It is a choice to forgive. I rarely feel like it, But God didn’t tell us to “feel” like forgiving one another, He just told us to do it. And I can feel angry and hurt and still choose to do the right thing by God. Sooner or later, my fickle feelings come around to embrace my choice. God’s grace is a much needed thing in my little world!!
Astrid67 on February 16, 2010 at 9:12 am
Amen to that. I totally agree.
Lilyofthevalley on February 16, 2010 at 8:48 am
Sometimes for me, I can forgive, but I cant forget. when someone hurts you, a close friend betrays you, it is often difficult to let those pains go away. I feel like I have forgiven her, ten times over, but i still will never trust her again, trust takes years to build, but only a second to lose. i often feel like i am still experiencing repercussions of that feeling, like sometimes i find myself putting up walls because of one person who betrayed me. I pray that i can let My Father take those scars away.
Sasoldier1960 on February 16, 2010 at 8:56 am
I have come to realize that when someone hurts me I need to look past the hurt and see that maybe the reason that they lashed out was because they were hurting for some reason on the inside. Then it is easier for me to forgive them. Let us not to forget that after we forgive the person that hurt us that we should be praying for them so that their hurt can be healed too.
kimber6 on February 16, 2010 at 9:55 am
Forgiving the little things in life is easy. I never really
knew how it felt to truly forgive someone until recently when my husband had an affair. But through the grace of God I have forgiven him but learning how to trust again. God is amazing. I can never understand how He is so forgiving. Thank you Lord that You are. I really needed to hear this today.
fieldlily on February 16, 2010 at 11:26 am
It is hard enough to forgive without the world telling us “Don’t get mad, get even!” The Lord has been telling us all along to forgive and yes even our enemies.
I have to remind myself that I am a sinner and have hurt others by my actions and words and, even though I don’t deserve it, I need forgiveness too. I know I have it from God but, if I want others to forgive me, I need to be willing to forgive others as well. Who am I not to forgive when I need it daily from those around me. The Golden Rule states “Do unto others as you want them to do to you.” So, if I want to be forgiven, I need to forgive.
Thank you for this reminder. And thanks be to God for His forgiveness and His example of forgiveness on the cross. Amen
mongoose on February 18, 2010 at 10:50 am
I want to get this DVD.
The Heart of Texas is another amamzing story of forgivness. http://www.heartoftexasthemovie.com
Walla on February 18, 2010 at 12:19 pm
I need help my friends. I’ve been officially married for a number of years but our relationship has deteriorated. I’m suffering from “premature ejaculation” problem (i.e. when making love with my spouse, I release before reaching satisfaction). Finally, we don’t make love/sex any more. My family doctor gave me advice but didn’t work. What can I do to fix this problem in order to satisfy my wife? I’m afraid she might make some decisions.