Acts 7:60 Forgive like Christ

Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Stephen’s very last words on this earth were strikingly similar words to Jesus’s final words as he hung on the cross: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Can you imagine someone saying these words while being nailed onto a wooden cross, or being stoned by rocks? What sort of person would intercede for their killers? It truly is hard to comprehend the rationale behind such a response, yet that is what we see modeled by the Leader of the Christian pack.

Christianity has some very counterintuitive responses on how to deal with evil. Here are a few examples:

• But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

• Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.

• Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. 

Just a few days ago, there was a tragic incident where a teen stabbed and killed another teen at a track event here in the US. A wonderful son and brother lost his life from a senseless altercation over something rather trivial. The natural response from a parent would be anger and a call out for justice to be served. But instead of anger, we witnessed the father saying that he has already forgiven the convicted teen! Through pain and tears, this man exemplified Christ by demonstrating a willingness to forgive.

When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, one of the key themes included forgiveness. Listen to these words of prayer from Mathew 6:

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Jesus then goes on to say:

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

So why is it so important for us to forgive, even when we are not at fault? I think the simple answer is because that is God’s nature and that’s what He wants his sons and daughters to be too. Just as He is. God the Father is the apex of unconditional love. It is His very DNA. God is Love.

The next time someone wrongs you and you feel like taking revenge, remember that you too were at fault in the eyes of God. Your sins made you deserve to be punished and God would be justified at that. But He did not. Instead He keeps giving grace to you. He keeps being patient with you. He keeps providing for you and taking care of you. And best of all, He forgave you of all your sins through the sacrifice of His own son, Jesus Christ. And now offers the free gift of salvation and eternal life to you and your generations. What more can we ask for! It’s a deal that cannot be matched. So, the only thing we can do in return is to be like God when dealing with our fellow citizens. Be a true child of God by loving and forgiving those around us.