How to Forgive Those Who Persecute You
Persecution is not a concept that is foreign to Christianity. Jesus Christ said, "'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also" (John 15:20). Persecution has occurred all throughout the first two millennia after Jesus Christ and continues to happens in various parts of the world to this day. Although persecution is difficult, Christians believe that they should forgive those who persecute them. This isn't always the easiest thing to do.
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Instructions
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Remember what Jesus taught. Before you begin trying to forgive someone who has persecuted you, it's important to remember why you should forgive them in the first place. Jesus taught a life of peace and tranquility. When Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother, Jesus replied, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times" (Matthew 18:22). Jesus also taught that if someone slaps a Christian on the cheek, he should "offer the other cheek also" (Luke 6:9).
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Remember how Jesus responded to persecution. The word "Christian" literally means "little Christ." This is because Christians are to try to emulate Jesus Christ. By knowing how Jesus responded to persecution, Christians can see how they too should respond to persecution. The best example of how Jesus responded to persecution is in the Book of Luke. When the people were crucifying Jesus, He said, ""Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).
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Pray to God. Although human beings may have a difficult time forgiving people, God does not. Pray to God and ask Him to give you the ability to forgive others. Ask God to take away all malice and anger, and instead give you feelings of love and peace.
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Pray for those who have persecuted you. Instead of stewing over what they've done, it's much more beneficial to pray for them. This is also commanded in Scripture when Jesus said, "Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:27).
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Remember that God has forgiven you. Although people have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), God is willing to forgive anyone who asks for forgiveness. Just as God forgives Christians, so must Christians forgive others. The Apostle Paul wrote, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32). It's important to always remember that God loved Christians before Christians loved God (1 John 4:19).
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