hy is it so tough, so difficult to forgive when we have been offended? How many relationships that once were so good seem beyond repair or restoration, when deep down inside we long for the old love and acceptance to return? How many runaway kids long to return home but cannot, and how many parents are sick with worry but don’t know how to reassure their runaways?

First, why do we get offended?

Within us all there is a concern for ’me’; what people think of me, what I think of me, a concern for my ’rights’, for parity with those I consider equals, for what I consider an injustice and so on. When God first created man he was like God. He enjoyed life and appreciated all around him with affection but when he was deceived into disobedience another ’nature’ entered him. He became aware of ’self’; he became aware of his nakedness and became ’ashamed’. He became self-centred. This ’self’ brought pride, selfishness, greed, lust into his being. Now he can be easily offended! These sins are powerful and difficult to break. This ’self’ shows up in gossip against others, selfishness, stealing, even murder. Now others are offended with us. Is there an escape?

esus was the only person who never sinned and could live ’selflessly’. He had no home, no money, no goods yet helped multitudes. He did not take offence, even praying, "Father, forgive them, they do not know what they are doing", as they hammered nails through Him.

Offence and unforgiveness cling to us generation after generation. Feuds exist today between tribes and clans that started ages ago. Consider Northern Ireland, or the Jews and Arabs going back to Abraham’s day and Isaac and Ishmael.

Religious people, even Christians, can be as bad as the worst when it comes to offence and resentment. They can maintain divisions and denominationalism for years. They may cloak them with religious talk but underneath there’s difficulty to forgive and start trusting again. Can there be an answer, a solution? Do we, do tribes, do nations have to live with this forever? Is there a way through?

here was one Man who succeeded. Jesus! He forgave mankind for messing up His planet. He can forgive our warring, selfish nature but He can also change us and give us hope for living differently. We can live with His forgiving attitude! Our old ’self’ nature will never do it but His new nature has done it already. It’s been proven!

Repentance is turning away from that old nature, self. No longer struggling with it but turning to Jesus and by His Holy Spirit asking Him to come into our lives, to be resident as president and give the rule over to Him. Now His ’nature’ can be ours. There’s still a choice but we can hand over to Him for His forgiveness, His lack of offence to operate in us. There definitely is hope!

It’s a matter of choice. Can we lay down our pride and self-effort, ask Jesus the Lord to come into our lives, take charge and lead us into a new life? You will never know if it works if you never ask. He is always listening, ready to respond to the weakest cry for help.

You can ask the Lord Jesus into your life simply by praying the 'Prayer for a New Beginning' below. Or contact us if you have more questions - see details by clicking here.

Colin

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