Costly forgiveness

by Emma Strelan Werner

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Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them (Luke 17:4).

Read Luke 17:1–4

‘There is nothing particularly Christian about the practice of forgiveness. Whatever our religion, we must request and grant forgiveness almost every day of our lives’ (Douglas R A Hare).

If this quote is true, what makes Christian forgiveness unique?

Well, our sort of forgiveness, the kind that forgives the same person seven times (and more) in a day, is costly.

It is no small endeavour to forgive as Jesus instructs us to here. If someone wrongs you once? No worries! You can say, ‘It was a mistake, you’re forgiven, let’s move on!’ What if someone wrongs you a second time? Then you start to think, ‘Hmm, okay, that hurt again, but I want to keep this relationship with you, so I forgive you.’ But when the pattern goes on, and on and on, the pain and struggle to give up the anger gets harder and harder.

Forgiving someone who you know will probably hurt you again isn’t a small thing. But we do it for those who we truly love. We’re willing to accept that pain, because we know our Father in Heaven has forgiven us without limit.

When we understand the immensity of forgiveness offered to us by Jesus, what right do we have to withhold forgiveness from others even if they sin against us seven times in a day?

That kind of forgiveness is costly. It costs us our pride, our anger, our need for a certain type of justice. But it cost Jesus a whole lot more.

Dear Lord, when someone seeks forgiveness from me, remind me of your grace so that I can, without hesitation, offer them a restored relationship as you have given me. Amen.

Emma works part-time as a content producer at Lutheran Media, where she creates the Messages of Hope radio show and podcast. On her other days, she takes freelance video jobs, filming weddings and all manner of projects that come along. Having gotten married herself in May, she’s enjoying this new season of life with her husband, Tim.

Woe to the backyard brewers!

by Emma Strelan Werner

Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.

If anyone causes one of these little ones … to stumble, it would be better for them … to be drowned in the depths of the sea (Matthew 18:6).

Read Matthew 18:6–10

Woe to those who brew backyard beer and lead children around corners!

We used to live in a house with one entrance from the street and one from the laneway around the back. One day, my brother, who was 18 months old, was playing in the front yard while my dad washed the family van on the lawn. After finishing the final polish, Dad jumped in the van to drive it around the block and park it in the backyard. Seeing my dad leave the driveway, my brother decided he would follow and toddled after him. Of course, his little legs meant that by the time my dad had turned the first corner, my brother was left in the dust, now seemingly completely alone, happily toddling through the neighbourhood in just his nappy.

All was well, as father and son were soon reunited. But I can certainly say the police were not too impressed when, after a call from an observant neighbour, they came to do a welfare check only to find my dad hanging out in a backyard littered with beer bottles (from his recent home-brew endeavours). It was not a good look for a pastor’s family, to say the least.

It’s a good thing for our society to care about the safety of our children. God takes our misleading those who are ‘little’ in faith (so, perhaps most of us!) seriously, too.

Whether we intend to mislead or not, maybe a question we should consider is: ‘If someone who looks up to me in my community was to follow what I’m doing, where would that take them?’ And ‘What could this behaviour look like from an outsider’s perspective, even if it is actually quite innocent?’

It’s a good thing we have a Heavenly Father whose eye never leaves us when we wander, and a bloke called Jesus who’s worth following more than even my dad.

Dear Lord, please show me if any of my actions have led someone into sin because I didn’t think enough about the implications. Please keep me from stumbling, and may I fix my eyes on you and your ways, especially when it matters most. Amen.

Emma works part-time as a content producer at Lutheran Media, where she creates the Messages of Hope radio show and podcast. On her other days, she takes freelance video jobs, filming weddings and all manner of projects that come along. Having gotten married herself in May, she’s enjoying this new season of life with her husband, Tim.

Are you happy to take instructions from God?

by Steve Liersch

Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.

Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it (Psalm 119:34,35).

Read Psalm 119:33–40

How often have you got excited about being told what to do? It seems to go against one of our basic instincts, as pride often leaves little room for someone else’s advice when we think we know best. It can be observed in a very young child (think learning to eat) right through to a very elderly person (think using a modern TV remote).

Sure, there are times when being given instructions can result in a new skill being learnt, some danger being avoided, or even making us look good in the eyes of others. Often, however, there is a hidden motivation just beneath the surface. It reflects a ‘What’s in it for me?’ attitude. Words and phrases like ‘impress’, ‘climb the social or corporate ladder’ and ‘outdo a rival’ quickly come to mind.

Our psalmist, however, is here praying for instruction in God’s will as he longs for the opportunity to joyfully follow God’s path for his life. Wow! Let that sink in for a minute. The first seven verses begin with a request – almost a demand – for God to intervene, instruct, teach and guide his way through life so that he can actively delight in living for and serving his God, our God, the God of the universe.

To have a heart that seeks to live for God is truly a work of the Holy Spirit, as our sinful nature is not this way inclined without truly divine intervention. The wonderful thing is that our God of love is more than willing to answer such a prayer request because he knows what a blessing it will prove to be in our lives.

Identify a time when you willingly asked for instructions to gain life skills. Were you happy with the basics, or did you constantly seek more help to refine that skill?

God of love and giver of all good things, you know what’s good for me. Change my heart so that it willingly asks for your word and Spirit to instruct me in life skills that will honour you and bless others. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Pastor Steve continues to enjoy his ministry in the beautiful southern coastal suburbs of Perth. Having announced his retirement date for May 2027, he will always be passionate about serving God, though it may look different in retirement.