Each of us has been hurt or disappointed by someone. Sometimes, those hurts or disappointments aren’t easy to forgive. But what is forgiveness anyway? Forgiveness is often a word that describes a pardon for an offense or cancelation of a debt to you. But talking about forgiveness only as it is defined as a word misses the complexity of the circumstances that often surround the act of forgiveness in the real world.
Scripture reminds us to forgive one another just as Christ has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13). What is often overlooked is that Christ does forgive us after we confess our sins and repent. Offering forgiveness unconditionally sounds good but misses the mark. If we always choose to skip the difficult conversations with people that hurt us, the opportunities for us and the other person to learn and grow in Christ and mature, our relationships are missed. It takes an enormous amount of vulnerability to say, “I felt hurt when you said _____.” Using “I” statements to communicate the impact of someone’s words or actions avoids attacking the person’s character. Honest and grace-filled communication provides them the opportunity to explain something that you may not have known, to own their transgression, and to make it right to you. And for as many times as the other person owns their wrongdoings, we are called to forgive (Luke 17:3-4). In this instance, a relationship can be restored and even strengthened.
But what about deep hurts committed by people you don’t have a relationship with or don’t care to? Maybe you feel the person doesn’t deserve your forgiveness. The problem with this kind of deep hurt is how it insidiously ferments bitterness, resentment, and a hardened heart. There are indeed some things that are best given to God to forgive. Even Jesus, who throughout his ministry, forgave people’s sins, modeled giving some things to God to forgive! While on the cross, Jesus said, “Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Paul also handed forgiveness, that he could not do on his own, to the Lord (2 Timothy 4:14). Giving it to God releases the shackles of a past hurt and often makes us realize the prisoner of the resentment was not the other person, but ourselves.
In every instance that entails forgiveness, the question “what does love require?” must be asked. Not simply because we were commanded to love one another, but because of the transformational power of love in Christ Jesus. It’s His love that transforms the heart and makes forgiveness possible.
Who is someone you need to forgive? What does love require of you in forgiving that person?
.
.
.
.
#Christian #Prayer #Faith #God #hope #love #Pray #Truth #inspiration #trust #thankful #blessed #blessings #Jesus #JesusChrist #encouragement #Trust #Bible #bread #GodisGood #seekGod #Light #Love #Forgive #Forgiven