Davidisms - Give Up Your Right to Be Right

Forgiveness. Someone once said, “Forgiveness is Master’s level Christianity.” It’s so true. Why is it so hard for people to forgive each other? It’s something we must do - an essential part of our faith - for Jesus commanded it. When he taught his disciples to pray, Jesus said, “Forgive our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matt. 6:12). Did you notice the implication? That God forgiving our sins is conditional on how we forgive others? The two are inextricably linked. So, then what exactly is forgiveness? A friend once told me it is giving up my right to be right. It’s not demanding that others who have hurt me suffer like I have. It’s forgoing my right for revenge. And instead, releasing my offender to the Lord. Refusing to seek personal vengeance. Because vengeance is God’s alone. He claims it. He will do it, but in his way and time (Rom. 12:19). Forgiveness is giving up my right to be right. And letting God be right. That’s when peace finally floods my heart. And I’m free from bitterness.