PRACTICAL FORGIVENESS

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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One of the biggest struggles faced by every person on the planet can be seen in the challenge to forgive those who have done us wrong and who are still in a place of opposition to us. The idea of forgiving our enemies is one of the most rewarding yet painful experiences that a child of God can encounter in this life. In today’s devotional, we are going to look into the Bible and see some practical examples of what this kind of forgiveness looks like. 

4 “If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to return it. 5 If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help them with it.

(Exodus 23:4-5 NIV11)

Illustration

Here we have a message given to the people of Israel that helps illustrate what it means to show kindness to one’s enemy. 

In this situation, the child of God is being challenged to have compassion on the lost and suffering animal, even if it should belong to someone who has routinely and habitually shown them contempt. 

The child of God has already been called to be a person of integrity and therefore reject the impulse to steal the lost animal, hence the command found in verse four. But what comes next in verse five takes this challenge to another level. 

The animal belonging to one’s enemy is seen suffering because of the stupidity of the enemy. The animal is not suffering because of any action of the child of God, at yet the Lord calls his people to show unusual kindness and grace to the animal and by extension to the enemy. 

Practical

This is a very practical illustration of what biblical forgiveness looks like. 

When the child of God chooses to honor God rather than damage their enemy, they are showing that the actions and words of their enemies do not own them. 

By acting with grace, the child of God demonstrates that the enemy has no real power over them. If they hold a grudge and choose to reciprocate the evil actions done to them, then the enemy has won the battle. The child of God must rise above. 

Training

The point behind this principle is not really about doing your enemies a solid or helping them out of a jam. The point here is for you and I to choose to not live in a place of bitterness and anger. 

By being practically kind even to those who have hurt you, you are training your heart to let go of your hate and bitterness. You are training yourself to choose God’s path rather than follow in the footsteps of those who act as enemies toward you. 

This principle can also be heard in the following passage:

17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice.

(Proverbs 24:17 NIV11)

What is the principle being expressed here?

When those who call themselves your enemies experience tragedy or when they suffer and stumble, the child of God is called to not use their misery as a weapon or see their failure as a source of joy. 

Listen to how this same idea is said in the following passage:

29 Do not say, “I’ll do to them as they have done to me; 

I’ll pay them back for what they did.”

(Proverbs 24:29 NIV11)

Reciprocity

The principle here is that while reciprocity may seem emotionally satisfying, and getting even might feel like something that is right and just, this is not how the Lord wants his people to live. 

• You hurt me… I will hurt you back…
• You lied about me… I will spread lies about you…

Rise Above

This is the way of the world. This is the way of the unbeliever. This is not the way of the Lord. 

The Lord calls his people to choose to rise above the attack, the pain, and the hurt that others inflict upon us. 

This is not a call to ignore the crime, nor is it a call to allow others to keep abusing us, but it is a call given to the child of God to make the conscious decision to choose to not fight fire with fire. 

Jesus Christ

After all, Jesus Christ did not seek justice against us for the crimes of our sin. He showed us mercy and grace through his sacrifice on the cross. 

And as those who have experienced the beauty of his grace, we need to live in his grace, especially with those that we would rather show nothing but contempt and disdain. 

Let me leave you with the words of the Apostle Paul:

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

(Romans 12:17-21 NIV11)

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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