The river bulkhead where the Augusta Canal and Savannah River meet is one of the most scenic places to go in our hometown. Swirling in giant eddies, the canal moves from placid to turbulent as it flows against the foundation of the canal works. One day as a friend and I took our children walking there, I tossed a rock into the waters’ flow. Overwhelmed with the heaviness of life, letting the rock go was a symbolic way for me to leave the past behind and take hold of current hope.
Forgiveness is such a precious gift from God— something on which our very life depends—and yet we often struggle to extend this gift to others. When we’ve been wronged, we hold on to our offense in hope that those who have hurt us will realize the error of their ways. It’s almost as if a part of us believes that our concerns will not be heard if we release them to God.
Validation is a powerful need within the human spirit. But apart from Jesus, any other validation is fleeting. Paul maintained that nothing could compare with being in Christ and that no credential outside of the cross really mattered (Philippians 3:7-9). Jesus died on the cross to identify with our human suffering (2:6-8). Why then do we try to find communion with Him apart from laying everything down at the foot of the cross—including our deepest hurts?
The question isn’t whether offenses will come, but how we respond when they do (Matthew 5:11-12). God isn’t asking us not to seek genuine repentance from those who have hurt us—allowing for true forgiveness to be extended. But He is asking us to let go of what’s past in order to take hold of what lies ahead.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 12:22-50
More:
Read Psalm 73 to see how we should view our struggles in light of God’s guiding presence.
Next:
Who are you struggling to forgive? What “rock” do you need to throw into the water in order to forget what is past? How is God’s command to forgive someone a reflection of what He’s done for you?
daisymarygoldr on July 9, 2011 at 7:29 pm
Good thoughts Regina and Eduardo! Forgiveness is indeed a gift from God. This is exactly what came to mind the other day in our discussion on “What follows…” A gift is not earned. None of us did anything to earn/deserve God’s forgiveness. Similarly when we extend forgiveness to others it is not that they did something to deserve it. It is a gift of love, mercy, and grace.
The reason people often struggle with forgiveness is because it is confused with reconciliation or restoration. They are not the same. Forgiveness does not always result in reconciliation and restoration of trust. Once trust is breached, it breaks the close association that was formerly enjoyed in a relationship.
For ex. when Adam and Eve sinned, God fully forgave them but it broke the sweet communion they had with Him in the garden. That will be literally restored only after the resurrection through the reconciling work of Christ. Also, forgiveness does not nullify the consequences of the offender’s sins. All of us are facing the consequences of the sins of the first man and woman.
So, when I forgive I don’t cover up or excuse the sin of the person who hurt me. It is simply to let go of my anger and desire for revenge. An unforgiving attitude is an unnecessary weight that hinders me in the race… and I must throw it away.
Now, forgetting is not easy. We cannot erase the hurts from the memory. In case of deepest hurts, the painful memories will haunt us till the day we die. However, when we forgive we also choose to not take the offense into account. We do not bring it up again to accuse or make the other person feel guilty. That is how when God forgives us He does not remember our sins again.
regina franklin on July 9, 2011 at 2:24 pm
Dear Eduardo,
The other day, I was thinking about the scripture about love covering a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). So many times we confuse covering with hiding or excusing. Jesus’ love for us and His sacrifice covers our sins, but in no way does He hide or excuse them. Forgiveness is such an incredibly powerful force in our lives. I want to continue to grow in my understanding of what it means to cover the wrongs that have created hurt in my life and those I love through the power of His forgiveness and, as you have stated, the power of His Word being active in my life.