Mike Schmid - March 8, 2023
Forgiveness and Justice
We continue our Lent series “Forgive: Why Should We and How Can We?” This week we look at the relationship between forgiveness and justice. When I forgive someone, am I then not to seek justice for what they have done? Does it mean that I am not to point out what has been done? What if the sin against me is a matter of law? Does forgiveness mean that I don’t press charges or pursue civil justice? Next Wednesday, we will look at the truth that forgiveness that flows from the cross of Christ is not opposed to justice, but complements it. We will look at how we are to pursue justice and forgiveness at the same time.
From Series: "Forgive"
Jesus calls us to forgive one another as we have been forgiven. In The Lord’s Prayer, He turns that around and instructs us to ask to be forgiven in the same way we forgive others. What is very clear is that it is very important to the Lord that His followers lead lives of mercy and forgiveness in our dealings with others. But how do we do this? Doesn’t forgiveness let people off the hook? What if I don’t feel like forgiving? Does God really expect me to forgive everyone? Our Lent Midweek series is entitled “Forgive: Why Should We and How Can We?” On the Wednesdays of Lent we will explore forgiveness, both the forgiveness we have received from the Lord and the forgiveness He calls us to extend to others.