Sunday, 17 May 2015
Rev. Daniel Poon
Imagine if we found a mouse in our house, what would we do? Of course we will try to kill it. But often there will be another mouse, then another, if we didn’t find out why the mice come in the first place. A lot of time when we face a problem in life, the easiest thing to do is to try to cover it or avoid it, but if we didn’t get to the root of it, the problem will come back again and again.
Rev. Daniel shared that whenever there is a problem in our life, we should find the root behind it, go back and make things right, then we can move on. When we are hurt in a relationship, in stead of breaking up the relationship, we should learn to face it with the power of forgiveness, which God has already given to us.
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15)
We always have the choice not to forgive, but it says clearly in the Book of Matthew that if we don’t forgive, then we better not sin, because God will also not forgive us.
1. God wants us to have relationship with others
In Genesis 1:28, God has shown us the purpose of us being created – not a curse, but a blessing, to multiply and increase in number on this earth. It’s important for us to recognise that, no matter what, nobody was born an accident, everyone is precious in God’s eyes, therefore, if God can forgive, we also should.
2. When there is a relationship, we cannot avoid getting hurt
When there is contact, there will be conflict, and we grow from these conflicts, disagreements, and arguments. If there is no conflict, then it means there is no real relationship, or the relationship is not close. Rev. Daniel reminded us to recognise that having conflicts is normal, and practicing forgiveness is necessary.
3. God wants us to forgive
Real forgiveness is to:
a. Stop judging
b. Give up the right to ask for an apology
c. Take the initiative to restore the relationship
d. Forgive everyday
We should forgive like Jesus did on the cross. When He forgave the Heaven opened and God’s Kingdom came to the earth. God has already given us the authority and ability to forgive, so we need to have faith and know that the power of forgiveness is the power that will set us free.