Text of the week

As we approach Easter, I am always amazed at Jesus’s response as he was dying on the

cross, “Father, forgive them.” Forgiveness is of course the underlying message of that first Easter.

Jesus died for our sins to be forgiven and rose again to defeat death. The challenge

for us today is to be able to offer forgiveness to everyone who wrongs us whether that wrong is big or small.

As a person, whose natural reaction is to immediately get even with the person who

wronged me then this presents a huge challenge to me personally. I must fight that urge to seek revenge and instead offer forgiveness whether the other person asks for it or not. In applying this principle to my life, it has been much calmer and less stressful.

With the never-ending stream of news highlighting some terrible atrocities that occur in our world it is easy for our anger to explode and our need for revenge to rise to the surface.

However, in my experience retaliating with a thirst for revenge almost always leads to further escalation of the hurt and damage that is caused.

Whether it be to the school bully or the terrorist determined to cause mayhem I believe that the advice of Paul in the book of Romans to be the best “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Stephen McGuire.

Assistant Pastor, Larbert Pentecostal Church