Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-32
The only time I ever got suspended from school was when I was in junior high. When I was in 8th grade, I moved from Echo Park Los Angeles to the sleepy town of Diamond Bar. Being the new kid in school I was still figuring out all the social norms in this suburban silo. One of my new ‘friends’ Robert asked me to do him a favor and hold onto some fireworks he brought to school. Foolishly, I agreed to this boneheaded request. Word eventually got around that Robert brought fireworks to school and he eventually admitted to the school principle that he gave the fireworks off to me, which led to my suspension. Robert felt extremely bad about what happened and profusely apologized to me, to which is quickly said “don’t worry about it.” As weeks went by, I found myself talking a lot of trash about Robert to everyone I knew calling him all sorts of names. Eventually, Robert was given the nickname “Robert the Rat.” Looking back now, I realize that I had never actually forgiven Robert. While my words might have said one thing, what I carried in my heart was another thing… unforgiveness. This unforgiveness left me feeling bitter, angry, and malicious as Ephesians 4:31 states. When Jesus commands us to forgive others, it’s primarily because He wants us to be kind and compassion and be free from the burden of hatred. Forgiveness is a gift for the forgiver more than the forgiven.
