Suffering And Forgiveness

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us. [2 Corinthians 1.3-7]

Suffering and forgiveness are not far from one another.

What is forgiveness if it is not suffering wrong (where justice could have been implemented)?

Think about it: all Jesus' suffering was because He forgave. He could have rallied the power of heaven to His defense, but He chose not to - He suffered instead. It was necessary for our salvation.

Forgiveness is like suffering on purpose. Or, better yet, it is like suffering for a purpose.

Here we go... Why did Jesus teach us to pray, "Forgive us as we forgive..."? Because it is in the suffering of forgiveness that we are most like Him. It is in the suffering of forgiveness that we are truly one with Him. It is through the suffering of forgiveness that we enter and walk in the realm of the Kingdom of God.

This brings some light to Jesus telling Ananias about the Apostle Paul, "And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake." [Acts 9.16]

Father, I know these words are truth. I know they are right. I know that I never look so much like Jesus as when I suffer forgiveness.