What if there were some aspects of the Christian life that you could not see, hear, or experience unless you flipped a metaphorical switch? Once flipped, the dark corners of life would be illuminated, and the paths of fear would vanish. What if walking in the light required that you flip this specific switch? Would you do it? Some choose to walk in the dark, spiritually blind, and dull to the freedoms obtained from an unhampered walk. Many walk through life tripping over its ambiguities while God created us for so much more. Many who are reading this need to flip the switch of forgiveness.
Have you experienced the pain of a loved one's betrayal? Hurt from wrongdoing (intentional or unintentional) can estrange relationships and leave wounds and scars. What does it mean to forgive? Is forgiveness a one-time event, or is it a life-long process? Do I have the right to refuse forgiveness? I hope to answer these questions and help you flip the switch of forgiveness in your life.
Ephesians 4:32 calls for us to "Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ." I am to forgive to the degree that I have been forgiven. Have you ever been forgiven? I have indeed been forgiven of so much! As C.S. Lewis said, "To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you." We need forgiveness because the payment for sin is death (Romans 6:23). I do not have the right to refuse pardon, and my refusal to forgive does not deem the perpetrator guilty or responsible for their sin; sin itself does that. Forgiveness is the act of releasing resentment towards another; it does not renounce justice. Forgiveness is the deed of one sinner releasing another because all humans are sinners (Romans 3:23).
Unforgiveness, on the other hand, is sin! Ravi Zacharias used to say, "Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay." Unforgiveness is ultimately a killer! I have heard it said, "Unforgiveness is a poison we drink expecting someone else to die."
The dictionary defines forgiveness as the act of pardoning an offense and ceasing to hold resentment against another. Forgiveness is a voluntary process by which a victim lets go of a contrary spite and wishes no ill towards the offender. Forgiveness is not optional for the Christian. Matthew 18:21-22 records a question from Peter regarding forgiveness: "'Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.'" Jesus commands Peter to forgive the same offense repeatedly. It is ridiculous to think that someone could sin against me seventy-seven times in one day. The point is, I should never withhold forgiveness. Forgiveness does not mean your perpetrator is not guilty or that you immediately forget the offense or that everything is okay. As a Christian, we are to refuse to hold someone hostage to their wrong.
Matthew 6:15 states, "If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Forgiveness is an act of obedience, and it is essential for the right relationship before God. I am so grateful for the forgiveness that Jesus granted at the cross (Luke 22:44); therefore, I am compelled to extend mercy and forgiveness to my fellow man.
Lord, help me to forgive as You have forgiven me. May I be quick to flip the switch on others' wrongs so that I may remain forgiven before You.
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