Forgiveness and Justice

Year 6-Day 10: Today, I am grateful forgiveness doesn't diminish justice. 

"Forgiveness doesn't diminish justice; it just entrusts it to God."-Max Lucado

Forgiveness. How did Jesus teach us to pray? "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us." Like he did on the cross. What an example of love and justice! It is evidence that God's justice never fails, but it doesn't always look like we thought it would look. 

"Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us." Think on that long and we realize it is a powerful prayer to not be prayed by rote or taken lightly, but with consideration and preparation. How can we pray that line with confidence?"

Aren't we all fans of forgiveness when we are the recipients? It feel so much different when the shoe is on the other foot. When we need to offer forgiveness, we hold back... not wanting to let go of the hurt and the anger. We hold tight to self-righteous anger and hurt with clenched jaw and fists. 

Our Lord knew that unforgiveness doesn't hurt the other person. I hurts us. This is my verse for the day. 

"but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” -1 Peter 1:15-16 

That is a challenging verse! It reminds us to really watch our conduct. The only way my conduct improves is if I daily pursue his face and his grace. Even with that, I mess up and say and do things that are not even in the ballpark of "holy". God is holy. I am on the "Needs Improvement" team. 

I looked up the Greek word, hagios. "Morally blameless", pure or "a saint". Are we actively pursuing to live our days as a reflection of the change he has made in our hearts? We are not perfect, but are working to improve our relationships? Back to the two things he says we need to get right. "Love God. Love each other. 

In my heart, do I entrust justice to God? If we do, forgiveness comes easier. He will be the judge. This scripture is one we can hold on to with hope. 

"but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." -Romans 5:8 

This verse reflects the wonderful cross where love poured out, evidence that God's sense of justice is not to be underestimated or dismissed. But, His love felt we were worth the price. I am grateful that we can choose forgiveness, because he gave us the ultimate example. 

His love is hard to grasp. The kind of love that is so deep and so wide that He would allow Christ to become the lamb. 

Today, I am grateful forgiveness doesn't diminish justice.