How can I forgive as the Lord forgives me?
Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation - Lesson 5, Forgive as God Forgave You, Question 5, p. 72
Forgiveness is a cornerstone of Christian faith, yet many of us struggle to forgive others as God has forgiven us. The Bible offers clear guidance on this matter, particularly in Colossians 3:12-13: "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
Firstly, it is important to recognize that forgiving as God does is inherently challenging because humans are prone to emotions and memories. Satan is very crafty and using those for his benefit! When someone hurts us deeply, the pain can linger, making it difficult to let go. Unlike God, who is omniscient and all-loving, we are limited in our capacity to overlook faults and transgressions entirely.
Moreover, forgiveness requires an immense sense of humility and selflessness, traits that are contrary to our old-Adam nature to defend ourselves and seek justice. The act of forgiving necessitates placing others' needs and well-being above our own desire for retribution or validation.
Another significant barrier is the misconception that forgiveness equates to condoning the wrong done. Many fear that forgiving will diminish the severity of the offense or absolve the wrongdoer of responsibility. However, forgiveness is less about the offender and more about freeing oneself from the burden of resentment and anger.
Lastly, our culture often emphasizes personal rights and justice over mercy and compassion. This societal backdrop can make it even harder to embrace the biblical command to forgive unconditionally.
Forgiving as God forgives is His command that requires us to transcend our human limitations. Our identity in Christ empowers us to do this as we hear in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." However, even if we struggle to forgive others, we are comforted by the promise in 1 John 1:7b: "The blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." Christ's sacrifice covers even our failures to forgive, offering us grace and redemption. I pray this promise frees you to forgive as God has forgiven you.
This blog series is adapted from Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation. You can experience this teaching in several ways:
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