One of the hardest things in life to do is to forgive those that have wronged us. It is counter intuitive. After all, if we are the victim of injustice, the only remedy is justice itself, right?

Iv’e been thinking about that. Do you really want justice? Man’s justice is corrupt but God’s is perfect. I’m not comfortable with either of those propositions.

Take Man’s justice for instance. How many times have rich privileged people gotten away with murder, theft, or abuse in our society? I bet you can name a bunch of times this has happened. Money, power , influence make some people untouchable even though the same crime committed by you or me would bury us in the penal system. This injustice frustrates and dispirits the average person in society. Man’s justice is impefect becasue it’s administed by Man.

What about God’s justice? We should be safe with that right? The problem with God’s justice is that it is completely just and completely fair.

So , that’s what we want right? Really? Are our hands completely clean of wrong doing? See, the problem is we can all think of a scenario in which we were completely innocent, were falsely accused, and still “lost” the case and were punished anyway. And we rail against the injustice of it all.

In those cases we believe that God would be on our side and set everything right. Yes he would, but He wouldn’t just render justice to you for the wrong that was done to you, He would also render justice to everyone you had wronged at the same time. Everyone would get punished, fairly and squarely Everyone would “go to jail. “

How do we stay free? By seeking mercy. How we get mercy is through forgiveness. We’ve all sinned against each other, committed some injustice or hurtful action toward one another or God Himself.

The Bible says in Matthew 6:14&15: For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

There is famous parable Jesus tells to illustrate this. Matthew 18:21-35

23  Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.24  And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.25  But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.26  The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.27  Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.28  But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.29  And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.30  And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.31  So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.32  Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:33  Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?34  And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.35  So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses

We wonder why our prayers aren’t answered, why our finances tank, why our bodies are filled with aches and pains for no apparent reason. Unforgiveness and bearing grudges hurts us more than those we don’t forgive.