Forgiveness
I have not written many posts about forgiveness, because it is a topic that is often preached, taught, or talked about. For example, we are told that forgiveness is not for the person we are mad at, but it is for us. Marianne Williamson says that unforgiveness is like drinking poison yourself and waiting for the other person to die. Though both statements ring true, forgiveness isn't always the easiest to do. Many of us, Christians, still harbor unforgiveness. We refuse to forgive and feel justified in our actions. We feel that people do not deserve our forgiveness or that their actions are unpardonable. We want them to pay for what they've done, and to suffer as we have (as if us holding on to all of our pain and bitterness really causes them to suffer). However, no matter the level of pain we feel, no matter what horrible things were said or done to us, we are still commanded to forgive. The Bible gives us many stories and verses about forgiveness, just look in the back of your Bible (in the Concordance or Topical Index), but I have yet to read a Bible verse that tells us NOT to forgive someone.
Colossians 3:13 says to bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Matthew 6:14-15 reads For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Furthermore, the book of Matthew (18:21-35), tells us about the Unforgiving Debtor who had been forgiven a large debt by his master, yet, did not forgive the debt someone else owed him. When his master heard of this, he sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt (verse 34), and Jesus warns in the next verse That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.
Jesus told the story of the Unforgiving Debtor because Peter had asked Jesus how many times we should forgive someone, and if seven times was enough, at which Jesus answered “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). Even as Jesus was nailed to the cross, breathing his final breaths, he exclaimed Forgive them, Father! They don’t know what they are doing (Luke 23:34) to those who mocked, ridiculed, spat, and beat him. These Bible verses to forgive are not options or requests; they are commands and something we must do. Furthermore, the Bible says Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven (Luke 6:37).
God sent Jesus as a ransom to FORGIVE us of our sins. Our entire faith is based on this critical factor. God only asks us to do what He does, and desires us to become more and more like Christ. If Jesus forgave us, why do we not forgive others? Forgiveness brings healing, and allows us to move on, while unforgiveness produces bitterness, resentment, and even brings torment. That is why we are told to Get rid of all bitterness, passion, and anger. No more shouting or insults, no more hateful feelings of any sort. Instead, be kind and tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ (Ephesians 4:31-32). God knows what unforgiveness does to us, and no longer wants us to endure the suffering and torment that comes with withholding forgiveness.
I have been hurt, just like you. And Jesus was also. We don't need to compare and contrasts the level of our hurt or the wrongdoing that was done to us. Jesus' pain tops them all. Philippians 2:5-8 tell us below to have the mind of Christ and describes his humility.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God something to cling to,
but emptied Himself,
taking the form of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
He humbled Himself and became obedient to death‚
even death on a cross.
Yet, Jesus empathizes with us; he sees and understands our pain. Hebrews 4:15 says For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet he did not sin. If Jesus is able to forgive those who crucified him (and us), what is holding us back from forgiving those who have hurt us? Let us understand that Jesus was justified and had the right to withhold unforgiveness because he did not sin! Yet, he chose to forgive to give us life. We must also forgive! Release that heavy burden you are voluntarily carrying because the foundation of our faith is based on forgiveness. Continual forgiveness is what allows us to commune and fellowship with God. Without the forgiveness of God, none of us would have a relationship with Him, nor would we enter Heaven and have eternal life with Christ. What is it that is preventing you from forgiving? Ask yourself, is your reason not to forgive more justifiable or substantial than that of Christ's?
Let us Pray.
Father God,
Many of us are hurting, or have been hurt. The hurt and deep wounds from the offense may have happened years ago, or just the other day, yet it causes pain, sorrow, anger, resentment, and bitterness. It is Your Command that we release the person from this offense. We are to forgive, which ultimately frees us from torment and anger. Please soften our hearts and humble us so that we are able to forgive. No matter what people have done to us or what we've been through, we have a high priest who understands our agony and sorrow, having gone through it himself--to the point of death. His name is Jesus. He was sinless, yet You gave him to die for our sins so that You could continually forgive us. Lord, by our decision to forgive, it does not mean that You are taking the other person's side, or that You don't love us. It is because You love us and desire our fellowship, that You tell us to forgive. It is because You want us in Heaven with you that we must forgive. Remind us of all things things Christ forgave us for, and what he endured. Lord, we no longer want to drink the poison of unforgiveness. We no longer accept this torment. Help us to forgive, and forgive us. Help us to let go. You are the judge and the avenger, so we lift our situation up to You. We trust You and revere You. We desire to obey You Father. Show us what we should do and who we need to forgive. We humble ourselves before You and want to be pleasing to You. We love You Lord, and give You all the glory and praise. In Jesus' name, amen.
Prayerfully,
Pam
