Believers are who they are because of Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection and living in each one. Paul’s statement tells us we are ‘in Christ,’ and not because of our choice of pride, but from His grace. Paul writes, “And He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the One who died for them and was raised. From now on, then, we do not know anyone in a purely human way. Even if we have known Christ in a purely human way, yet now we no longer know Him in this way. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come. Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us.” 2 Corinthians 5:15-19 HCSB.

Books have been written concerning this truth and one which deserves your time to read is Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s “The Cost of Discipleship.” The author writes, “Judging others makes us blind, whereas love is illuminating. By judging others we blind ourselves to our own evil and to the grace which others are just as entitled to as we are.” And out of this statement comes my thought, “Extreme Forgiveness.”

God provides a most important lesson from the story of Joseph and he gracious act of forgiveness is seen by his personal trust in God. His brothers had caused great harm to him, but God did not abandon Joseph. As a powerful man in Egypt he did not respond with hate and anger, but with love and forgiveness became a blessing to those who had intended to destroy his life. Joseph instead said this, “You planned evil against me; God planned it for good…” Genesis 50:20(a.)

Because of this commitment to be His disciples a certain cost is paid to do so. But this is only the proverbial tip of the iceberg. What we do know is what Paul writes concerning all of the difficulties he had encountered, “I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13.

Extreme forgiveness follows an intimacy with God because of His presence in our lives. We experience a daily cleansing motivating our forgiveness of others, “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” Matthew 6:14-15 NASB. Therefore, our forgiveness of others must follow God’s forgiveness of us. This is not hard to understand.

Each of us has been thrown into a pit of despair at one time or another and God is our only way of escape. But, more than that, He is the One who is able to guide us to help us to forgive someone who has sinned against us. He is our Deliverer. He is our Strength in all things. WE cannot do this alone.

Jesus is Lord.