Isaac Mwaniki

One of the most difficult things I encounter is on how to deal with the people who offend me. Sometimes I feel mistreated that I feel I have a right to complain to everyone. If given a chance, the natural feeling is to reciprocate whatever wrongs others have committed against me.

 

In other words, forgiveness is one of those disciplines that though I know they are good, it is very difficult to implement. This is aggravated when we are wronged by people close to us who we have reasons to believe could have done better. It becomes very difficult to stop thinking; how could he or she have done it?

It is possible that in this seating, I am the only one who struggles with this issue but I was excited to realize that around 2000 years ago, some individuals struggled with it.

 

At the beginning of His ministry, Jesus had some very difficult teachings to deliver. As He sought to breathe the spirit into the very impersonal law, it became apparent that there was more to the law than met the eyes. Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well”

 

This must have left the disciples in a very difficult position. Some might have told Jesus; “you do not understand”. Yet after giving this set of teaching in Matthew 5, Jesus finishes the whole debate by giving an imperative to His listeners, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Do you find it easy to forgive???