first blog post!
Posted 06-18-2008 at 04:54 PM by Annie
Forgiveness is key to living the Christian life in its full abundance. Its easy to say that but rather difficult to really put that into practice. We always seem to jump to our first instinct that we're owed something. He did something wrong that hurt me so he owes me an apology, and until he apologizes I'm not going to speak to him or have anything to do with him; once i get that apology then i'll forgive him. But what we often forget is that forgiveness is inseparable from loving our enemies and loving our neighbours as ourselves.
Forgiveness also, contrary to popular opinion, is not based on emotion. True forgiveness is not given because we feel forgiving, forgiveness is given in spite of what we may be feeling. Its a choice we make to put the wrongs they've done to us behind us and not to allow those things to affect our hearts or spirits any more. With-holding forgiveness where forgiveness should be offered is not only contrary to the commandments we're given in Scripture, it also means God will with-hold forgiveness from us.
I think the reason forgiving is often so hard to us is because it means we have to learn to humble ourselves as the ones offering forgiveness. It means recognizing that even though we may have been the ones wronged, we have no right to hold a grudge. It often means that we ourselves have to admit that we have been wrong in that situation as well, which is not something most people like admitting to, and we may have to do some deep self examination to see if we have anything to repent. Its not easy, but then who said anything about being a Christian was?
25 "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses." - Mark 11:25-26
21 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' 22 shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26 Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny. But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause - Matthew 5:21-26
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 and hate your enemy.' Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. - Matthew 5:43-48
If we make a conscious choice that we are going to love the people around us as Christ loves us, its going to be harder to hold grudges against anyone. We're going to want to find a way to forgive that person and to move on with life. 43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 and hate your enemy.' Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. - Matthew 5:43-48
Forgiveness also, contrary to popular opinion, is not based on emotion. True forgiveness is not given because we feel forgiving, forgiveness is given in spite of what we may be feeling. Its a choice we make to put the wrongs they've done to us behind us and not to allow those things to affect our hearts or spirits any more. With-holding forgiveness where forgiveness should be offered is not only contrary to the commandments we're given in Scripture, it also means God will with-hold forgiveness from us.
21 Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?"
22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
28 "But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!' 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
35 "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses." - Matthew 18:21:35
22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
28 "But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!' 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
35 "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses." - Matthew 18:21:35
I think the reason forgiving is often so hard to us is because it means we have to learn to humble ourselves as the ones offering forgiveness. It means recognizing that even though we may have been the ones wronged, we have no right to hold a grudge. It often means that we ourselves have to admit that we have been wrong in that situation as well, which is not something most people like admitting to, and we may have to do some deep self examination to see if we have anything to repent. Its not easy, but then who said anything about being a Christian was?
25 "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses." - Mark 11:25-26
What it comes down to, if we are saved and have experienced the love and forgiveness of Christ, we just have no right to with-hold forgiveness from anyone.
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 1415 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. . - Colossians 3:12-17
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very well said, Annie...
if I withhold forgiving someone, I harbor an anger that will hide me from Freedom. If I let go of my right to be angry, not only am I letting that person be relieved of his/her guilty conscience, I am giving myself a chance to move forward...I also give Him a chance to work through me... my dad once put it; forgiveness is letting go of my "right" to be angry...to this day it's helped me to let go of a lot of junk that otherwise would hold me down...it's amazing how that works! |
 
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