“He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, But he who repeats or gossips about a matter separates intimate friends.” Proverbs 17:9 AMP
Today Solomon speaks about discretion. Notice that forgiveness is a sign of love! It reminds me of the verse,
“But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 AMP
We know that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son. God was not looking for revenge on those who had perverted His ways but rather to restore them. We also are now called to walk in the ministry of reconciliation.
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. 18But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him], 19that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people’s sins against them [but canceling them]. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation [that is, restoration to favor with God].”
2 Corinthians 5:17-19 AMP
Now, that doesn’t mean that we ignore transgressions. We must always remember that right is right and wrong is wrong. The ministry of reconciliation is one of restoration and change. The word in the Greek means “a change of relationship from hostility to peace.” It means that a result of prayers or confession or conversion of man, God renounces His wrath and is gracious to the sinner! A key to this process is found in verse 17, “everything had become new!” This newness of life is a direct result of encountering God, and we call it fruits of repentance. I am no longer that which I was but now my heart is toward God and His ways. It is interesting to know that the Apostle Paul is the only one to use this word in the New Testament directly in relationship of man to God. Again, notice that the process is that God reconciles us to Himself. Not the opposite! God is not in the business if negotiation about His ways. The sacrifice of Christ to allow reconciliation was far too great to bargain and barter with sinful man. God and man are not on equal terms in relation to reconciliation. Reconciliation is not reciprocal in the sense that both equally become friends tolerating each other’s ways. No! God’s goal is to conform us to the image of Christ in our lives so that those who see us give honor and glory to Him”
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16 AMP
I say all this so as to remind us from whence we came! We have no right to hold offenses against others. Yes they hurt. Yes they cause anger to rise up in our hearts yet, God has forgiven us. One of my favorite verses in Scripture speaks about God’s memory,
“Who is a God like You, who forgives wickedness And passes over the rebellious acts of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He [constantly] delights in mercy and lovingkindness. 19He shall again have compassion on us; He will subdue and tread underfoot our wickedness [destroying sin’s power]. Yes, You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea.”
Micah 5:18-19 AMP
If that is the case, then we have no right to talk about other’s fallings or shortcomings. Gossip is a fire that will burn down the strongest of relationships! Our job is to help move those trapped in sin to a life of freedom. Sometimes its easy, sometimes it hard. Whichever the road we travel, love covers a multitude of sins! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken