Forgiveness is a virtue that all the saints are called upon to demonstate in their obedience to the Lord. It is inevitable that someone will offend us or do something, whether intentional or inadvertent, that will cause us distress. What are we to do? If we harbor resentment, it will not do us any good or bring any blessing. Jesus set the example as he said to His accusers, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). If someone has transgressed against us, it is to our glory and honor to God to pass it by. Solomon said, “The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.” (Prov. 19:11). Anger and resentment eats not at the heart of the offender but in the heart of the one who is unable to pass over (forgive) the transgression. Jesus has forgiven us even though we did not deserve such grace. We are thus called upon to exercise kindness and be of a tender heart. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Eph. 4:32). I know we all have or will do something that we will ask forginesss from God, and He has promised to do that very thing. However, the consequence of the absence of forgiving a brother or sister is very grave. Jesus said, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matt. 6:14-15). The truth is that we ourselves cannot expect forgiveness from above without exercising the same. We will have been delivered unto the tormentors that will trouble us until we actually do what God has commanded, and that is to forgive; not just once but until seventy times seven; that is to say in an unlimited fashion. Remember it honors God and is our glory to defer anger and pass over a transgression.–November 7, 2011-Elder Larry Wise
