Let me start by saying that this is something I learned only recently, more so in the last few days.
I have struggled with and will continue to struggle with forgiveness as a human and as a sinner for as long as I shall live.
I do not write this blog with the intention of pointing the finger.
I cannot throw stones while living in a glass house.
In my personal experience, forgiveness has always been a grey area.
There are limits and expectations to how and when someone is forgiven.
There are boundaries set to which the forgiving takes place or is taken back.
There are even standards for what duration of time someone is forgiven.
What is that all about?
“I have forgiven but not forgotten.”
We’ve all said this to ourselves.
We’ve all wanted to believe it in our hearts.
We’ve all pretended for so long and have repeated it so many times that it becomes a grey area.
But exactly like honesty, trust and love; forgiveness is black and white.
You either forgive or you don’t.
You either let it all go or you don’t.
Forgiveness is not about holding on to bits and pieces, working the rest out as you go along.
Forgiveness is letting go of the anger.
Letting go of the fear.
Letting go of the bitterness.
Letting go of the emotion attached to the memory.
The only way to humble your heart and heal your soul is to lean on and trust in our Heavenly Father.
Only He is truly able to forgive.
Let me also tell you something from my personal experience: NO ONE DESERVES TO BE FORGIVEN.
(bare with me here!)
Liars, addicts, rapists, abusers, accusers, adulterers, sinners.
None of us deserve to be forgiven.
BUT (here is it!)
We follow in the example of Christ.
We follow in the example of the Son of God.
We follow in the example of His Son who walked amongst us.
Who loved us.
Who taught us.
Who died for us.
We follow in the example of the Only Man who truly knew that God forgives us.
Yes, GOD FORGIVES US.
If forgiveness was deserving, Jesus would not have died for our sins.
If forgiveness was deserving, Gods love would not be so magnificent.
His grace and glory is where we can rest assured that forgiveness is given.
Not because we deserve it, but because He loves us.
So, live with courage.
Live in love and hurt.
Live with smiles and cries.
Live by running without looking back but always remember to stop and thank God for your blessings.
Thank God for the love He has given you and the hurtful lessons He has provided for you.
Thank God for the reasons He has given you to smile and the tearful lessons He has provided for you.
Thank God for the path He has given you to run and the humbling lessons He has provided for you.
Thank Him every day for forgiveness.
Pray that He may humble you to forgive the liars, addicts, rapists, abusers, accusers, adulterers.
Pray that He may give you the understanding that you are no better than the rest of them.
Pray that you may forgive how He forgives.
Love the way He loves.
Teach the way He teaches.
Listen the way He listens.
Most importantly: NEVER LOSE YOUR TRUST IN HIM.
He who truly forgives us, all sinners.
