Right now, I want you to think of the “biggest” sinner that you know. Perhaps it is a co-worker, politician, or distant relative. Maybe it is even a fellow church member or spouse. My guess is it didn’t take long for you to think of someone; and following that thought were likely feelings of anger and bitterness.
Anger is such a destructive emotion. Yes, it is possible to be righteously angry; but for the sake of this article, I would like to address the sinful anger that so often rears its ugly head and even resides in our hearts. We desire for those who hurt us to pay. We want to see them suffer, perhaps even beg for forgiveness. Dear friend, is this the attitude that should characterize you as a follower of Christ? Christ Himself said to those who were oppressing Him, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). If anyone had a right to repay evil for evil it would have been Christ. Afterall, He is the only human that never sinned. You and I definitely cannot say that. Yet, we don’t think we are obligated to forgive.
The verse that the Lord has continually used to pierce my ugly, prideful soul is found in 1 Timothy 1:15. Apostle Paul, who is often seen as a hero of the Christian faith, says “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners- and I am the worst of them all (NLT).” This verse has always stopped me in my tracks, because honestly, I don’t see myself that way a majority of the time. I can easily point my finger at many others who are far more sinful than I. In many ways, I am constantly like the unmerciful slave mentioned in Matthew 18. God has forgiven my enormous debt of sin, but I’m choking my neighbor for a much smaller offense, a few dimes so to speak. God’s word tells us to “forgive one another, just as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). Furthermore, He does not treat us as our sins deserve (Psalm 103).
Can you say that you have eagerly forgiven, especially that one horrific offense on your mind? A good indicator would be whether you are able to pray for the offender. Take heed of God’s warning, “whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in the darkness” (1 John 2:9). Unforgiveness is uncharacteristic of a Christian. It is uncharacteristic of someone who has just been relieved of an enormous debt and is unable to stop praising the one who set him free.
Now, I am not at all saying that we should never confront harmful or sinful behavior. God calls us to confront those who are caught in sin. Galatians 6:1 states, “if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.” Notice, the pre-requisite. Paul explained the attributes of a spiritual person just a few verses prior. The fruit of the spirit is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). If you are not able to confront a brother in love, ever aware of your own sinfulness before the Lord, then you are not ready to confront your brother. Promptly examine and humble yourself. Remember that you “practice the very same things” (Romans 2:1). Although your sin may manifest itself differently, I can assure you that you are as guilty of all 10 commandments as your neighbor. Therefore, when it comes to sin, spend a majority of your time at battle with your own.
Forsake your anger, Christian. Ask God to make you eager to show mercy. Christ has set you free from the penalty of your sin. I encourage you to read When Sinners Say I Do by Dave Harvey. He does a fantastic job of weaving the gospel into every area of the marital relationship. I have been greatly impacted by his book and lectures.
Now ask yourself again, “Who is the biggest sinner I know?” Can you align yourself with Paul’s attitude, that you are the biggest sinner you know?
I would love to close with this song often performed by the Gettys.
“What riches of kindness He lavished on us
His blood was the payment, His life was the cost
We stood ‘neath a debt we could never afford
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more”
O thank the Lord for MERCY…
