A Few Thoughts about Forgiveness
A Few Thoughts about Forgiveness
In many ways, forgiveness is the touchstone of the Christian faith.
Without God’s forgiveness, Heaven would remain out of reach for all of us.
And, in His footsteps, Christians, too, must forgive.
Unfortunately, many of us oversimplify the purpose of forgiveness, assuming that it’s something we should be able to offer without question.
The real power of forgiveness stems from its very difficulty.
Look at Peter – A Few Thoughts about Forgiveness
Look at Peter, who asked Jesus, “How many times should I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me?” to which Jesus replied, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times,” (Luke 18:21-22).
Even the disciples needed some encouragement with forgiveness due to being human and flawed.
Regardless, finding ways to offer forgiveness is the best path toward stronger connections and positive influences.
And, asking these questions could be the best way to make that happen.
How Can We Forgive?
If you forgive someone without knowing their behavior, are you forgiving them at all?
Could God forgive us our sins if he didn’t understand why we sinned in the first place?
Perhaps, but would that forgiveness offer the same healing power? Probably not.
Hence if someone asks for your forgiveness in any way, you must listen to the ‘how’ of their story.
As well as helping you to offer true forgiveness, this introspection will provide the sinner a chance to repent.
It’s like an olive branch offered in kindness.
Why Should We Forgive?
Once you understand their sin, it’s time to consider the ‘why’ of their reasoning.
After all, as God taught us, we all have it within us to do bad and good. This is the free will that He affords.
While it can be incredibly difficult to extend forgiveness to someone who has committed a terrible crime, it can be done.
As we try to understand and show compassion for our offenders, God can drain some of our anger. Little by little, we can let the other person go.
Forgiveness brings healing.
Forgiveness unclogs what is stuck in our lives.
And… forgiveness brings freedom.
Details of Forgiving
The power of forgiveness speaks for itself.
To take your healing to an even greater place, you may need to offer to help your offender. This is next-level grace in action.
Jesus talked about this kind of living in Matthew 5:42-48,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
Has Someone Sinned Against You?
It may be that someone has sinned against you for lack of money or resources. Possibly you can help them by finding them a criminal defense legal team to offer support that they’ve never been given.
Or, perhaps this person’s sins are a cry for help on another level.
By caring for this person, you are going above and beyond.
Consider Jesus’s words in Matthew 5:46-48,
“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Final Thoughts
Did God ever say forgiveness would be easy? No.
To forgive is to model your actions after your heavenly Father.
To forgive is to become more like Jesus.
Were you encouraged by what you read?
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