John raged when his wife confessed. He suspected something was awry but had no proof. That was before his friend’s wife caught them, exposing the whole sordid affair. Now John faced a tough decision: forgive or hate.
John prayed before confronting his friend. It was the only way. I could kill you, he seethed through gritted teeth, but I’m going to forgive you instead. Then he hugged his friend.
Joseph did one better. Jealous brothers who hated him sold him into slavery. He languished in prison for years until finally being released after interpreting the king’s dream. Now he governed a region ravished by famine and his brothers were kneeling before him begging for food. They trembled when he revealed his identity and feared his revenge after their father died.
Joseph could have killed his brothers but chose to forgive: Don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children. And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. (Genesis 50:21)
Forgiveness is difficult but is always the right course when others abuse and hurt us. We can instantly release them from the debt they owe for the wrong they committed. But only by God’s power. No personal infraction will ever exceed our sin against God.
God's forgiveness is unlimited and unrestricted. Ours should be too. Who needs your forgiveness?
WOW more power to John, he has guts! Not sure if this is a true story or not, but the best thing after forgiving something like this is to separate the friendship and even move far away in friendship not and even to a new local if possible.
ReplyDeleteWe have some friends whose mates decided they wanted to exchange spouses. Our two friends were devastated, but the one "wicked" wife had deserted her baby and young toddler to have this other husband. Our friends talked it over and decided they really liked each other, and perhaps the best thing they could do was to marry as well. She raised those boys as her own, and eventually had two more boys that were theirs. They have been happily married for many, many years. Not all stories have a happy ending!