Forgiving Nazis | Jonathan Cahn Sermon
The Power of Forgiveness: Living as a True Follower of Christ
Forgiveness can be one of the hardest things to extend, especially when we are deeply hurt or wronged. Yet, at the very heart of Jesus’ message is a radical, healing, world-changing power—the power to forgive even the most unimaginable offenses. As believers, we are called not only to receive this grace but to live it out. In this article, we’ll explore what it means to genuinely walk in forgiveness, set aside a judgmental spirit, and live as true representatives of Christ’s love with compelling real-life examples to inspire your faith.
Breaking Free from a Judging Spirit
It can be easy to slip into a pattern of judging others—looking for faults, criticizing the shortcomings of fellow believers, or even fellow ministries. However, Jesus never called us to live in judgment. In fact, His entire mission was to undo judgment and extend salvation to a broken world.
Imagine for a moment the damage we do when we tear others down, “rejoicing” when someone falls or wallowing in gossip. The Apostle Paul warned believers about this very attitude, reminding us that tearing down is a grievous sin. Gossip and criticism may feel justified in the moment, but they are tools of the enemy, not of God. We’re called to do the opposite: build up, bless, and save lives by speaking and acting out of love, not out of bitterness or jealousy.
Redeeming Words: Trading Gossip for the Gospel
If we are honest, there is a subtle allure to gossip. It’s often born out of frustration or a desire to feel superior. But for every moment spent speaking about someone behind their back, we could just as easily choose to share the hope we have in Jesus. Interestingly, the words “gossip” and “gospel” are similar—just a single letter’s difference. Yet their effects are worlds apart.
The Gospel—the good news of Jesus Christ—pulls people out of darkness and brings them into the light. Whereas gossip destroys reputations, strains relationships, and sows seeds of division, the Gospel brings life, unity, and the love of God. As believers, we are called to spread the Gospel, lifting others up and pointing them toward Christ with our words and actions.
Are You Saving Lives or Winning Arguments?
In Christian circles, it’s easy to get caught up in doctrinal debates, wanting to prove we are more spiritual, more correct, or more holy than others. While solid doctrine matters, Jesus didn’t come so we could argue over spiritual gifts or theological nuances. He came so we could help save lives. Our mission is not to prove ourselves superior, but to rescue those who are lost, hurting, hungry, and broken.
A true measure of your walk with God is this: Are people around you experiencing more of God’s love, healing, and redemption through your life? Are you actively sharing the hope of the Gospel, or are you content “being right” at the expense of someone else’s journey toward finding Christ?
Radical Grace: The Example of Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand
There is perhaps no greater illustration of radical forgiveness than the story of Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, Jewish believers who endured unspeakable persecution in World War II Romania. Sabina lost her entire family during a Nazi-led massacre. Years later, Richard, a pastor, astonishingly welcomed into his home a Nazi involved in that very massacre. Instead of condemning him, Richard shared the Gospel. When the truth came out, not only did Richard forgive, but Sabina, face-to-face with the man who helped destroy her family, offered him forgiveness in Jesus’ name. The impact was transformative—the man broke down in tears, repented, received Christ, and spent the rest of his life helping the very people he once hated, even moving to Israel and serving the Jewish community.
Can you imagine forgiving someone who has wounded you to such a degree? It might be difficult, but this is the very heart of the Gospel: God’s grace is greater than any sin, and we are called to pass that grace along, no matter what.
Turning Fire into Grace
So how do we respond when we are wronged? Are we calling down fire on those who hurt us—or do we extend grace? Jesus rebuked His disciples when they wanted to call down fire on those who rejected Him, instead telling them to respond with love and compassion.
This principle applies at every level—whether in marriage, family, friendships, church relationships, or even judgments we make about public figures and celebrities. Are we praying for those who seem “beyond hope,” or have we written them off? We must remember that, before we point fingers, we ourselves were once lost and only found because of God’s mercy. Extending that mercy to others isn’t just a good idea; it’s a direct reflection of God’s heart and a demonstration of the power of salvation at work in us.
From Sons of Thunder to Ambassadors of Love
Consider the transformation of John, one of Jesus’ closest disciples. Early on, he was known as a “son of thunder,” ready to destroy those who opposed Jesus. Yet, after receiving the rebuke of Christ, John’s heart changed. Later, he would write the Gospel of John, which stands as one of the most loving, grace-filled testaments in all of Scripture. He alone records the story of the woman caught in adultery, where Jesus refuses to condemn and instead offers freedom and forgiveness: “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
What happened to John? He allowed God’s correction to change him. The good news is, no matter where you currently stand, God’s Spirit can reshape your heart, turning harshness into compassion, judgment into mercy, criticism into blessing.
Your Life: A Reflection of Blessing or Bitterness?
Pause and ask yourself: “What
