Do We Forgive Others as We Are Forgiven?

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“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” What a powerful example of forgiveness our Messiah and Savior has set for us! Luke 23:34. This is the location of the passage of Scripture just quoted. Consider the setting of this passage, and of Jesus Christ’s profound words. He was near death, just about to die for humanity’s sins! Next, let’s think about the Apostle Peter’s reflection about thirty-some years later. Christ’s unforgettable example was still fresh in the mind of Peter –decades later. 1 Peter 2:1-23 “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth,’ who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges reighteously…” Clearly, our Messiah and savior was FILLED with a Godly attitude of forgiveness! But just HOW is this relevant to you and me today? Perhaps year after year passes, and we may seem to grow in forgiveness little – if at all. Since you and I are typically not forgiving by nature, what can we do? How can we become MORE like Christ in this extremely important area of our spiritual lives?
UCG Sermon
John Cafourek

John Cafourek (1945-2017) served in the ministry of Jesus Christ with his wife, Sandy, for 46 years.

John was born in South Dakota. He attended Ambassador College in Pasadena, California, from 1965 to 1969, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He received a Master’s Degree in psychological counseling from Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in 1978. John pastored churches in Nebraska, North Dakota, Missouri, Mississippi, Washington, and Oregon.

He directed speech clubs for men, gave seminars on abuse and addictions, and traveled as an international speaker in Canada, England, New Zealand, Jamaica, Australia, and other areas. He also directed a United Church of God preteen camp for children ages 6 to 12 and served at the church’s teen camp.