Forgiveness is a clear command from Christ and a reflection of the love and grace we have received from God (Matthew 6:14-15). However, living with someone who continues to hurt and harm us repeatedly is not an obligation imposed by faith. The Bible teaches us to forgive seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21-22), but it also calls us to act wisely and seek peace. In Proverbs 22:3, we are warned that “a prudent man foresees trouble and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.” Thus, we must be prudent in our relationships, avoiding situations that could cause us continued pain and distress.

Jesus, while forgiving, did not subject Himself to situations of continued mistreatment. He withdrew when He knew that His actions could result in immediate danger (John 8:59). Likewise, Paul instructs us in Romans 12:18, “If possible, as much as depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” This implies that, although peace is desirable, it is not always possible to maintain it, especially with those who insist on hurting us.

Repeatedly submitting ourselves to suffering is not part of God's plan for us. Forgiveness is essential and liberating, but continuing to live with someone who persists in causing us pain can be foolish. In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Paul warns against those who have a form of godliness but deny its power, and instructs us to distance ourselves from such people. We must preserve our peace and well-being by avoiding abusive and destructive relationships, while continuing to demonstrate the love and mercy that Christ taught us. True forgiveness does not require us to put ourselves in situations of continuous hurt and suffering, but frees us to live in peace and prudence, reflecting divine wisdom in our lives.

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Discipline...

Grace and Peace!

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

(Hebrews 12:11)

“...but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.”

Hebrews 12:10b

Considering what Scripture says in Hebrews 12:6a: “For the Lord disciplines those he loves…” it must be our total acceptance and submission that, as God desires for each of us, we receive his discipline. The discipline that comes from God is understood not only as an act of punishment or correction, but as a process of training, teaching, and directing to do what is right. Hebrews 12:5b says: “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or resent his rebuke,” but rather we should feel very loved and privileged, because the Lord is treating us as his children (Hebrews 12:7-8).

There is a very special and great purpose for which we are disciplined by the Lord, and that is so that we may participate in his holiness. The more the Lord corrects our bad behaviors and teaches and guides us to do what is right, the more He forms in us the holy character of Christ. And this, although it costs us inside and causes us sadness, will eventually produce in us greater joy, because we will experience the rest that Jesus promises when he says: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). Brothers and sisters, let us not grow weary of submitting ourselves to God and resisting our sinful desires, but let us persevere in the knowledge of God’s will and allow the transforming power of His Spirit to transform us into those holy, humble, and obedient children that God wants to make of each one of us.

Let us pray:

God, what a blessing it is to have been adopted as your child, because I have the best and most excellent Father, You who are good and perfect. Thank you for allowing me to grow in your knowledge each day and to submit to your authority, because I know that although you often exercise discipline, you do so with purpose and love. Thank you, Lord, amen.

18. All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

19. For God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them, and he has entrusted to us the message of reconciliation.

(2 Corinthians 5)

Life is no fun without the grace of Jesus...