Saturday Song: 5 Man Electrical Band, "Absolutely Right"

It sure is hard to apologize, especially when the other person is right. That's what this song is about. The man in the song acted stupidly and came to realize he was in the wrong.

Listen to this Canadian rock band's song here:

Jesus had much to say about forgiveness. After teaching about church discipline Peter asked a question about personal forgiveness. Matthew 18:21 and 22 (BBE) records, "Then Peter came and said to him, 'Lord, what number of times may my brother do wrong against me, and I give him forgiveness? till seven times?' Jesus says to him, 'I say not to you, Till seven times; but, Till seventy times seven.'"

Some occasions require that we make peace with our adversaries in order to prevent harm to ourselves. Jesus warned his hearers, and us as well, in Matthew 5:25 (BBE), "Come to an agreement quickly with him who has a cause against you at law, while you are with him on the way, for fear that he may give you up to the judge and the judge may give you to the police and you may be put into prison."

Jesus also connected forgiveness toward one another with forgiveness from God. We read of this in Mark 11:25 (BBE) where he said, "And whenever you make a prayer, let there be forgiveness in your hearts, if you have anything against anyone; so that you may have forgiveness for your sins from your Father who is in heaven."

We also note from Galatians 6:1 (BBE) that forgiveness and love are inseparable. "Brothers, if a man is taken in any wrongdoing, you who are of the Spirit will put such a one right in a spirit of love; keeping watch on yourself, for fear that you yourself may be tested."

Jesus also warned us about the danger of not forgiving others. Matthew 6:14 and 15 (BBE) says, "For if you let men have forgiveness for their sins, you will have forgiveness from your Father in heaven. But if you do not let men have forgiveness for their sins, you will not have forgiveness from your Father for your sins."

So we know that forgiveness is an act of love and God is pleased when we write off wrongs done to us. That's what forgiveness is.

On Monday, I hope to post on the subject of why we must love those who hate us.