There was a Christian man, who was a father, who had a son that he loved very much, but because of complications within the family his wife left him and the son left home wounded and in rebellion. Years passed with no communication until one day a call came from a nearby hospital. The Dad answered the phone to find out that his son was in serious condition and to come right away. When he arrived being alone, he looked upon his son and wepted because of the great love that was in his heart. He went to the bedside, squeezing his hand and leaned over and said, 'Son please forgive me for being so insensitive to you during our time of trouble.' Without being able to talk, tears ran down the face of his son then after a few minutes a smile came upon his face and he closed his eyes and passed on into eternity.
A note was laying on the table next to the bed, written by a nurse, explaining what had happened. In it the son expressed that he knew that his Dad loved him and that he appreciated how faithful his fathered had been to God despite all his failings as a husband and a Dad. He also mentioned how just recenlty he had accepted Jesus Christ and the love of God in his life and had learned about the forgiveness of God. In closing the letter he asked his father to please forgive him for being such a rebellious son.
They both loved much because they had been forgiven much. Our capacity to love and forgive others is according to the measure of the love of God that has forgiven us. We forgive because we have been forgiven (Col 3:13). If we forgive not, it is because we have not recieved God's forgiveness.
