No Extra Credit

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is an attribute of the strong.”

-- Gandhi

Forgiveness is hard work, and it is easy to be resentful of the effort required on your part when you weren’t the one that did something wrong.  When you feel indignant about the effort you have to exert, you should remember two things: 

First, God requires you to forgive.  Forgiveness is not about scoring extra credit points on the test – it is the test.  If you don’t forgive, you fail the test.  And God is the one who is grading you. 

Second, remember when you pass the test by doing all the hard work required to forgive someone else, you are the one that reaps the benefits.  You are rewarded in this life by the feeling of peace that replaces all that anger and hurt you harbored.  More importantly, you are rewarded in eternal life because God will in turn forgive you for the transgressions you have committed. 

God’s forgiveness and mercy may be His greatest gift to you.  Do not underestimate the importance of sharing this gift with others.