Kingdom of Forgiveness

This morning as I was getting ready for work, I was overwhelmed by thoughts of God's great forgiveness for me. 

Working in retail, one tends to see the good, the bad and the ugly side of human nature.  For the most part, people are kind, but for some reason it is easy to remember those who lashed out over something as meaningless as a $2 necklace. 

Several years ago, a woman came into a store upset because the wall cross she had purchased the week before was now on sale and she wanted the clerk to give her some of her money back.  The woman behind the register calmly explained that the cross was not on sale when she purchased it and no money would be returned.  Angrily the customer stormed out and called the owner of the store complaining about how her purchase was handled.  The end result was that the customer received the discount and the clerk was reprimanded.  Of all the nice people who entered the store that Christmas season, one woman was remembered above all others, and it was the woman with the "cross".

Having a cross to bear is different than having a grudge to bear.  I can raise my hand and say that I too have been like this Cross Lady with the Cross, unwilling to forgive and release what I perceived as injustice. 

The crowning touch of God's Kingdom lies in his great love exhibited through His forgiveness for us.  Forgiveness shows love more so than any other act besides the giving of one's own life.  Walking in the Kingdom of Forgiveness opens doors to change for yourself and others and puts a spring in your step as you release those who have wronged you or someone you love.

Forgiveness may seem a weak gesture and even a foolish gesture as we protect our rights and try to right a wrong, but it is the act of a royal nature.  Remember the King who forgave a man the debt he owned?  That same forgiven man failed to extend forgiveness to the one who owed him, but instead had him jailed.  Eventually, the King learned of the deeds of the forgiven one and reversed his decision.

If there is any act which should be rampant this time of year, it should be the act of forgiveness.  God has reminded me this morning of his nature to forgive.  This generally indicates to me that I am going to have to walk in forgiveness today.  So be it.  May God's Kingdom of Forgiveness reign today as you shop for Christmas gifts and may His Kingdom rule in every part of your thought life, the deeds you do and the words you speak!

I Corinthians 1:25 "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men."

Luke 6:37 " Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:"