To Do Or Not To Do

It can be so painful.

Some people are like porcupines. Touchy. So they are sensitive. Prickly. So they can hurt you when they feel threatened. Even if your intentions are good.

Paul understood that. "For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I write to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you." 2 Corinthians 2:4

But then he then went on to talk about forgiveness and to offer comfort to the offender!

It is a fact - not everyone who has wronged us will seek our forgiveness.
But Paul, despite what he has gone through, encourages forgiveness!

Does forgiveness come easy? No. Of course not. But it has to be done. It is a choice to be made. In fact, Paul calls it a test of obedience - to forgive is to obey! (2 Corinthians 2:9) If we seek to walk in obedience, forgiveness is not an option.
In verse 11, Paul offers another reason - if we don't, we fall into one of Satan's trap. That's right. He has his schemes, that evil one. And unforgiveness is one of them!

If we are living with unforgiveness, we ar the ones trapped. I know of someone who suffered a lot. Victimized for being poor, picked on for speaking for righteousness, bypassed for being the wrong colour... you got the picture. He ended up ill. His heart couldn't bear it. He had to stop work early. His life was very limited. Until he discovered Jesus. Through his new relationship, he learned to forgive, and to let go. His medication reduced. He had a new lease of life. He even travelled for holidays.

Yes, when we release forgiveness, we ourselves are set free. We no longer have bitterness that will eat into us and cause us to be bound. Furthermore, as the Lord Himself taught us, He will "forgive our sins as we forgive the sins of others."
So Paul encourages a forgiving nature. Don't "simpan dalam hati" meaning don't keep inside your heart. Learn to let go. Paul did. We need to learn to do that too.

If you have problems forgiving someone, take time out with another Christian you can trust. This person should be mature so you can share honestly, without being gossipy. Don't do character assassination as you share. Try to remain factual. Then let the other Christian pray with and for you. Exercise James 5:16 "Confess your trespass to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed"