Mark 9:50 tells us to "Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another" Wisdom tells us that there are times when overlooking an offense may best resolve a breach between brothers. (Proverbs 19:11; 12:16; 17:14; Col. 3:13; I Peter 4:8) This is a form of forgiveness that can bring about peace when it is practiced. There are times when a matter of offense does require an appropriate reproach that has with it the goal that repentance, forgiveness and restoration be prayerfully sought. An appropriate reproach may bring about amazing change to a person's life—breaking sinful habits for instance—and healing to a relationship that should not be broken. We are taught to love one another—deeply from the heart.

Our Lord also reminds us that we must be willing to practice a kind of forgiveness that is similar to how God forgives our sins in Christ Jesus. If our personal holiness is not something that exceeds that of God and yet in Christ we can find forgiveness should we not that much more be willing to humble ourselves and put an offense aside and offer complete forgiveness?

The Chestnut Mare