Give It Back

From Pastor Steven Furtick:

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Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing.
1 Peter 3:9

Forgiveness is the central element of the Christian life, not a side bar issue. Or as I’ve said before, it’s the operating system of Christianity, not an app.

This is obviously true of our relationship with God, but it is just as true with the people around us. The reality that you are going to be sinned against is as inescapable as the reality that you are going to sin against God yourself.

And when someone hurts you, you really have two options. You can give them back what they gave you. Or you can give them back what God gave you.

Your natural inclination will be the first. You will want to return the pain they caused you with pain. Hate. Bitterness. Revenge. You’ll think that by doing so it will get rid of the weight they placed on you.

It won’t. If anything, it will probably increase it.

In order to be free of the weight of your sin you had to receive the forgiveness of Jesus. In order to be free of the weight of someone else’s sin you must give the forgiveness of Jesus.

If you’re in a position right now where you need to forgive someone, it isn’t easy but the best option you have is to give back the better gift. Graciously give back to them what Jesus has already so graciously given to you. And then move on in freedom.