The people of Corinth were commanded to forgive and comfort
and confirm their love towards those that caused grief (2 Cor. 2:7-8). This was a very eye-opening way of phrasing
how we should treat people that have hurt us or sinned against us. Not only did they need to forgive, but they
were commanded to comfort and confirm their love towards those who had made a
mistake. It made me think of how the
Savior handles forgiveness, in my experience.
When I’ve made a mistake, whether it be bigger or small, there’s usually
been something wrong with me. Either I’m
tired so my patience is worn thin and I’m quick to snap at my daughter or I’m
not maintaining my spiritual duties like I should be and I don’t have the
spiritual capacity to handle a specific trial or issue that is facing me as
well as I should. There is almost always
a reason behind why I sin towards another person.
When I go to repent, the Savior offers mercy and comfort as
I work to rectify my wrongs. He offers
love and patience and guidance as I work to change myself, through His
redeeming and enabling power. This
commandment that Paul gave the people of Corinth is what will further enable
them to become more like Christ as they act and obey it. Any opportunity we have to become more like
Christ, we need to take and give our all to it.
Our hearts and lives will be blessed beyond measure as we love, forgive,
and comfort as the Savior would. As we
forgive, we can, in turn, be forgiven by our Father in Heaven. The danger of us not forgiving others is that
we will not be forgiven.
Forgiving is a blessing in our lives. We do not have to carry around a burden of
anger, bitterness, or hate. As we
forgive, we will be blessed with the lightest yolk of peace, harmony, joy, and
mercy. Forgiveness is a gift the Lord
has given us. And we need to use it and
exercise it to its fullest measure.
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