Fierce : Uncommon Faith in Uncertain TimesSample

FIERCE FORGIVENESS

Just a few years ago, a 24 year old firefighter was driving home after a long shift. He fell asleep at the wheel and when he woke up, he realized he had caused a horrific car accident. He crashed into an oncoming car which was carrying a pregnant mom and her two year old child. The two year old made it, but both the mom and the baby she was carrying tragically died. Can you imagine the loss and outrage the husband and father of the family must have felt? Yet, in a moment when he could have sought revenge, he showed fierce forgiveness. He actually asked the courts for a diminished sentence for the young firefighter and quoted Colossians 3:12-13, saying that we must forgive as we have been forgiven.

Vengeance is commonplace, but forgiveness is uncommon. 

Have you noticed that so many of the most popular movies are mostly about revenge? Yet, though stories of vengeance may often entertain us, it is the stories of forgiveness that truly move us. This is because forgiveness points to the higher virtues and values of life. It if forgiveness that points to the Gospel. It is forgiveness that reveals to us the very nature of what God is like.

On the cross, Jesus showed that God is a gracious, kind and forgiving God. And that whoever repents of their sin and calls Jesus Lord can receive forgiveness. Totally free and with no admission fee. What an amazing gift!

It is this fierce faith in Jesus (remember day 1 of this devotional), that actually leads to fierce forgiveness. It is through faith that we can be forgiven. But forgiveness is not just about what we can receive. Fierce forgiveness is something we are invited to both get and give.

Jesus gives us a strong warning in Matthew 18 about harboring unforgiveness. He compares himself to a king who forgave one of his servants a massive debt, but then that unmerciful servant turns around a demands a friend to pay up on a small debt. Doesn’t sound right, does it? Well, Jesus doesn’t think so either and says that when we refuse to forgive those who hurt us, we are like that unmerciful servant. Be very careful of wanting the blessing of forgiveness from the king, but being unwilling to give forgiveness yourself.

In our own human strength, fierce forgiveness does not come natural. But the closer you get to God, the easier it will be to forgive others. Make it your goal to be a forgiveness dealer!

Prayer: Jesus, please forgive me of my sins. You are my Lord and I have faith in you. Please show me where I am harboring unforgiveness and help me forgive as I have been forgiven.