Pastor Wayne Cordeiro
May 26, 2002 - W0221

Did you know that there are two sides of the cross? Sure, and both are equally dangerous. One side is where we often find ourselves because weíve sinned. We might call this the ìwrongî side of the cross, because we are wrongówe have sinned and now seek forgiveness. Equally dangerous and even more precarious is when we find ourselves on the ìrightî side of the cross.

Itís a side of forgiveness we donít often talk about. The ìrightî side is where we find Jesusówho was completely in the ìrightî in that He was innocent but unfairly accused. The danger is this: Itís not hard to receive forgiveness when we are wrong, however, itís much harder to give forgiveness when we are right. How will we react when weíve been unfairly accused? Your response to that question will be the true measure of your maturity and faith.

I once witnessed an angry Christian explode at his boss (also a Christian) with a barrage of name-calling just because he thought he was right. Itís a dangerous place to be when you are wronged because we can justify all kinds of bad responsesólike reviling authority and breaking Godís laws.

Question 1: How do you fare on the ìwrongî side of the crossówhen you know you are wrong & have to ask for forgiveness? Are you able to receive it?

Question 2: How do you fare on the ìrightî side of the crossówhen you think you are right and have been unfairly accused? How do you respond then?

Here is how Jesus responded to His accusers as He hung on the ìrightî side of the cross: ìFather, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doingî (Luke 23:34).

ìAnd the robbers also who had been crucified with Him were casting the same insult at Himî (Matt. 27:44). ìAnd He said to him, ëTruly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradiseíî (Luke 23:43).

Jesusí example for us is astounding. Though He was completely innocent and falsely accused (even insulted in the last minutes of His life), He was able to respond with forgiveness. He not only prayed for His accusers, He actually blessed one of the robbers by inviting him into paradise. Therein lies an invaluable life lesson for us: Forgiveness is wonderful when weíre wrong, but never more powerful than when we are right.

When you find yourself on the right side of the cross and being unfairly treated, here are four typical responses. Which one do you choose? Which one do you strive for?

FOUR RESPONSES:

1.      RETALIATION

Our first impulse is usually to retaliate. This is the lowest form of response. Although it does happen, retaliation is not to be the choice of our heart. In fact, the Lord warns us against it: ìNot returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessingî (1 Pet. 3:9).

ìDo not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to youî (Matt. 7:1-2 NIV).

We get back what we dole out. Whatever size measure we use to give, is exactly the size of what we will receive. So instead of retaliating, give a blessing so that you can inherit Godís blessing.

Sadly, retaliation is encouraged by our society and even bred into us at very early age. We see this in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict where each side believes they are right and therefore justified in their cause. It has escalated into an all-out, out-of-control war. And the ultimate result is death. So God says retaliation is the lowest response and we donít get to be part of that.

Question 3: Have you ever retaliated against someone who wrongly accused you? How did you feel afterwards? Did it resolve or escalate the issue?

The first response to being wronged is a natural, knee-jerk reaction of retaliation. But thatís not an option for us so letís look at the next one:

2.      BURY THE OFFENSE

On the surface this appears to be more Christian than retaliating, but it is just as toxic. Why? When we are offended and hold it in, bitterness results. It may not show on the outside, but it eventually leaks acid on the inside. It corrodes our lives in the form of complaining here and grumbling there. First we get bitter against the people we think wronged us. Then we lose heart for our family, work, or church. On the surface everything seems so nice, but underneath things are festering.

Of course, God understands our nature and knows we will get upset at times. Thatís why He tells us to put a time limit on our anger: ìBe angry and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your angerî (Eph. 4:26). Take care of it quickly, within the day! Why? Because God understands that it is not the depth of anger, but rather the length of anger that will kill you.

When we hold on to our anger, and do not resolve it, weíre just like a bomb ready to explode. People stricken with anger tend to blow up at the first opportunity. Itís like a suicide bomber strapped with explosives only this time itís an invisible emotional explosive that will decimate everyone in the surrounding area. The explosion not only injures their target, it also destroys the person carrying the offense by killing their reputation, character, and relationships.

Question 4: Have you ever ignored an offense by burying it? Did you experience an eventual explosion? Have you resolved it or are you still struggling with that offense?

When unjustly accused, our first two responses are to retaliate and then to bury the offense, but both are wrong. The next two call us to be a people following the example of Jesus on the cross:

3.      FORGIVE

Forgiveness has nothing to do with the other person; forgiveness is a gift for yourself because it neutralizes acid and keeps us free from the other personís sin. It is refusing bitterness and it is something we must do to be free to receive all God intends for our future.

To operate in forgiveness, however, we must be sure to define forgiveness correctly. Forgiveness is not saying that:

?        Sin has not taken place.

It has but your forgiveness releases you from it. At the point of forgiving, you are saying, ìI refuse to be held captive by anotherís sin or allow them to steal my future.î

?        We endorse sin.

Forgiveness is not sweeping the sin under the carpet or saying itís okay to keep doing that. Itís simply providing grace to cover otherís mistakes.

?        Sin is no big deal.

Forgiveness doesnít mean we diminish the meaning of sin, itís simply covering it so it doesnít become a big ordeal in our lives.

?        There will not be any consequences.

Scripture says the ìwages of sin is deathî; thatís true whether or not we are Christian. There will be consequences, but we leave that to God.

Once we grasp these four truths, we see that forgiveness is not necessarily for the other person, itís for our own well-being. Then we can deal with things in the spirit of the cross, the way Jesus handled it. And ultimately, weíll always keep our hearts open to restoration.

ìAnd be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven youî (Eph. 4:32).

Although forgiveness is very, very important, I want us to go one step further to the highest level of faith. Yes, we are to forgive to neutralize the acid, but then go further so that you:

4.      PRAY FOR AND BLESS

On the cross, Jesus led the way on this revolutionary concept when He prayed for His accusers though they were wrong: ìFather, forgive them for they know not what they doî (Luke 23:34). His actions spoke louder than any words, but they also rang true with what He had taught us in an earlier teaching: ìBut I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat youî (Luke 6:27-28).

What happens when you pray for those who mistreat you? Letís look at Josephís response when his brothers sold him into slavery. Years later, Joseph had become the second most powerful man in the world, and now stood face to face with his brothers. It was during a famine when his brothers came to Egypt searching for food. Recognizing them, Joseph struggled with his anger. But he soon remembered all God had done for him. God had made him so much greater than the original offense. And what was intended for evil, God redeemed for good. Instead of retaliation or revenge, Joseph not only forgave, but also prayed for and blessed his brothers.

Step one is to neutralize the acid of bitterness by forgiving. Step two is to pray for and bless those who mistreat you. Itís the greatest weapon you possess against the enemy and his desire to hurt you and your family. And thereís a victory thatís won in the heavens for all eternity.

Question 5: When you forgive are you able to go a step further and pray for and bless that person as well? If not, what is holding you back?

ìAnd whatever house you enter, first say, ëPeace be to this house.í And if a man of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him; but if not, it will return to youî (Luke 10:5-6).

When we can pray for and bless others, we donít have to worry about whether or not they are worthy of prayer or blessing. God will determine that. And the extra blessing is that if they are not worthy, it will return to you. Forgiveness and blessing is not determined by the magnitude of someone elseís integrity, itís determined by yours.

The bottom line is that forgiveness is never more powerful than when you are on the right side of the cross and you operate in the principles of forgiveness. That is what will determine the depth of this church and the maturity and insight that God will give you. May you be blessed as you operate in these principles of the ìrightî side of the cross.

Question 6: What part of todayís lesson most impacted you? How will you apply what youíve learned to your life today?

Summarized by Rhonda Pang