Choosing Forgiveness

Choosing Forgiveness
The sunrise recently was beautiful, as it frequently is in Colorado Springs.

It started as a brilliant red glow on the eastern horizon making the few

clouds look like they were a consuming fire. The color gradually spread

westward toward the mountains turning the clouds a range of hues from pink

to lavender. This reminded me of our ability to see color as a gift from God.

In order to receive this gift we must put forth some effort, such as getting

up early and sometimes going outside in cold weather. Seeing a sunrise is a

choice we make.

Forgiveness is another gift from God. Receiving this gift also requires the

effort to obey God’s instructions to have our sins forgiven. One of the

requirements is to forgive others when they sin against us. “…when you

stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that

your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins”. Mark 11:25 [NIV] This also

is a choice we must make.

God has the ability to forgive ultimately by forgetting the things we do to

offend him as is quoted in Hebrews 8:12. Short of amnesia, we humans can’t

erase our memory, but we can withhold anger and resentment against others.