Testing you own forgiveness

So I was flipping through channels....never a good thing.....and I hear someone on the TV say, "Hookers for Jesus." What?!! Who has the audacity to blaspheme the name of God? I had to find out.

It turned out, that "Hookers for Jesus" is the name of a ministry in Las Vegas that attempts to lead prostitutes to Christ by rescuing them from their lives and putting them in a a sort of halfway house. In this place they are protected, cared for, and exposed to the word of God. It is an utterly horrid name for a ministry, but I applaud the efforts of the ministry leader.

There was a young lady on the show who was attempting to reconnect to a boyfriend she had before becoming a prostitute. As she confessed to him what she had done, there was no anger on his face. There was no evidence of resentment, nor a loss of respect for her. He instantly forgave her. He stated on camera that he was considering marrying this young lady, even after the confession.

I am not sure if the young man was a Christian. It was never mentioned on the program. What I saw was a person who did an extremely Christ-like thing. He forgave her for what most men would consider an unforgivable act (or several unforgivable acts). I wondered at that point would most Christians be able to be that forgiving? Would I be able to be that forgiving?

Earlier the same day, my 5 year old son came to me out of the blue and apologized to me for being a little too loud. Then he asked me if I would forgive him. Of course I told him that I forgave him already, and I would always forgive him---but not to let it happen again (I had to add that part). He looked as if a weight was lifted from his shoulders, and I felt as if a weight was lifted from mine. Forgiveness seems to do that for us. My son was relieved, just like the young lady on the television. It does not matter the severity of the sin, forgiveness is necessary for healthy relationships.



Jesus has forgiven us all for our transgressions. He took the punishment we all deserve upon himself so that we can be in a righteous relationship with God. Jesus came because He understood that there can be no good relationship without true forgiveness. I am so thankful that I have been forgiven both by man and God. My transgressions are great and exceedingly abundant. The forgiveness I have received from God allows me to forgive others.

My earthly father would not be considered a very good one by any standards. It was a hard thing to forgive him for being absent from my life and present in the lives of other half-siblings. It was difficult to understand why he would choose them over me. By the grace of God I was able to cast that care upon the cross and leave it there. Some actions lead us closer to God. By forgiving others, I am able to grasp the awesome news that I have been forgiven. When I forgave and understood how hard it is to do so; I was able to gain insight into God's mercy---how great it is!

Brothers and Sisters, it is not too late right now, but one day it will be. One day you will be in eternity. You decide where you will spend it. Pray to God for forgiveness. Repent of your sins and learn from the master how to forgive others. It is an unfathomable experience.