LIVING WITH SIN'S CONSEQUENCES*

LIVING WITH SIN'S CONSEQUENCES*
*By Neil Anderson*
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Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of
God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord
(Romans 12:19).

Forgiveness does not mean that you must tolerate sin. Isabel, a young
wife and mother attending one of my conferences, told me of her decision
to forgive her mother for continually manipulating her for attention.
But Isabel tearfully continued, "She is no different. Am I supposed to
let her keep ruining my life?"

No, forgiving someone doesn't mean that you must be a doormat to their
continual sin. I encouraged Isabel to confront her mother lovingly but
firmly, and tell her that she would no longer tolerate destructive
manipulation. It's okay to forgive another's past sins and, at the same
time, take a stand against future sins. Forgiving is not a codependent
activity.

Forgiveness does not demand revenge or repayment for offenses suffered.
"You mean I'm just supposed to let them off the hook?" you may argue.
Yes, you let them off your hook, realizing that they are not off God's
hook. You may feel like exacting justice, but you are not an impartial
judge. God is the just Judge who will make everything right (Romans
12:19). Your job is to extend the mercy of forgiveness and leave
judgment up to God.

Forgiveness is agreeing to live with the consequences of another
person's sin. Suppose that someone in your church says, "I have gossiped
about you. Will you forgiven me?" You can't retract gossip any easier
than you can put toothpaste back into the tube. You're going to live
with the gossip this person spread about you no matter how you respond
to the gossiper.

We are all living with the consequences of another person's sin: Adam's.
The only real choice we have in the matter is to live in the bondage of
bitterness or in the freedom of forgiveness.

Heavenly Father, I give up my right to seek revenge or harbor
resentment. I want to enjoy the freedom which comes from forgiving others.

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