Forgiveness
Dear Friends,
It’s been said that to err is human, to forgive is divine. Did you know that by God’s grace you can forgive another?
Forgiveness does not come easily for most of us. We feel betrayed when we think another person has wronged us. It’s our sinful flesh that seeks punishment or some form of “repayment” from that other person. How can we overcome this natural tendency and forgive? Is forgiveness a conscious choice or is it a feeling? And is forgiving the same thing as forgetting?
I believe forgiveness is a choice we make that is motivated by obedience to God and His command to forgive. “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13) For most of us, forgiveness is not an automatic response because we tend to hold grudges and seek our own sort of justice. But, who are we to serve as judge, jury and executioner of another person? It is not our job to judge the other person or their sin… that would be like putting ourselves on an equal par with God!
That assumption reveals the true depth of our sinful nature… and demonstrates why we are so blessed to have been forgiven by God and welcomed into His loving embrace. Doesn’t that extraordinary measure of love deserve to be honored? If God did not withhold His forgiveness from us, why should we withhold our forgiveness from another?
True forgiveness takes effort, reflection and a renewed commitment to live under the will of God. We forgive by faith and because that is pleasing to God we experience the fullness of His love; He frees our hearts from anger, bitterness and resentment. That opens us up to having better relationships with our earthly companions and a deeper relationship with Him.
Denial of someone else’s sin is merely an attempt to try to just forget it ever happened. Have you ever tried to intentionally forget something? It’s impossible because the very act of trying to forget means that the issue is top of mind. So, forgetting is not the same as forgiving. Forgiveness is a real change in our minds and hearts, not an avoidance of the truth. We need to experience forgiveness first, and then and only then can we forget. That’s when we are truly free of the pain caused by what someone else may have done against us.
Share your story of forgiveness of another person for their transgression against you – especially when it was really hard for you to forgive -- and inspire others to be more forgiving, too.
Blessings,
Ron
Amen Ron I couldn't agree more. It all comes down to Jesus and what he did for everyone. If we don't forgive our debtors then ourselves will not be forgiven. And what a slap in the face to Jesus that would be. Peoples sin is the punishment in itself as they separate from God. Keep focused on Jesus and our path will be true.
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Applying this to the workplace provides an opportunity to be a witness by example when we handle real or perceived wrongs in a Christ like manner.
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