Why is forgiveness such a difficult concept to grasp? Even when we know it is the most healing and unifying gift that one can give, we still struggle with giving and sometimes even receiving. I have found, in my own experience as have many of you, countless opportunities to practice this fundemental step in faith. Forgiveness does so much more for us than we usually give it credit.
We all question why certain experiences had to take place in our lives and what victory we can have over those experiences when the injuries are so deep. When wounds are buried deep and we de-sensitize ourselves to the pain that is inevitable in life we become lame. “Fiery darts” come from every direction trying to hinder us from running the race set before us.
The evil one knows our greatness! Long before our own self discovery has even begun he has put into action his plan against us. From childhood scars to lies we believe; he has it in for us. He is the roaring lion long before we become warriors. Pain is like a leg cramp; it hurts so badly it can arouse you from a peaceful state. Without attention the pain can do serious damage. The only way to work out the “cramp” is to walk it off. Spending time and attention on the specific point of pain brings relief, lessens the pain, and restores the peace. This attention in real life, I believe, is forgiveness. The truth is that without forgiveness there is no victory! Forgiveness is the ONLY weapon we have in those circumstances. Forgiveness takes away the power of that pain; it even removes the pain although not immediately. Forgiveness also frees us up to share where our hurts have been with those who are experiencing that same hurt. Forgiveness is release, it allows us to say: “This is what I
used to believe or this is who I
thought
I was.” To be able to stand in forgiveness and freedom is incredibly powerful. It is astonishing what can be overcome when we have given forgiveness in one situation and we have seen how the chains have been loosed. We stand stronger and taller. Our vision is sharper because we know what some of those darts look like. We now understand the importance of armor so we make sure that all of our pieces are on and properly maintained. The Bible speaks to our power in His shadow in Romans 8:31-37.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
There are several factors that I have learned to consider when contemplating forgiveness for others. The first is that only those that are injured injure others. We can all say at some point that we have been injured whether through words or actions of another person. We are all broken, bruised, and scarred in some way. Because we haven’t always forgiven or allowed ourselves to admit that we have been hurt the devil knows we are an easy target to be used in the injuring of others. The devil is cunning, he is attractive, he knows what draws us in, and he knows what breaks us down. If I am always ready for battle then I know who my opponent is and it is never the person who actually does the harm. Secondly, I know that I am commanded to forgive. Matthew 18:21-35 is very clear on how forgiveness in expected. Verses34-35 say:
And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him.
My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart. Thirdly, I have begun to understand just how much my Heavenly Father has forgiven me. I echo Paul’s sentiments in 1 Timothy 1:14-16:
The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. The final factor that I remember is that the Lord will set all things right in His time. The Bible speaks over and over about how we are not to judge because only God is our judge. He also says very plainly that vengence is His. If we truly believe that Christ loves us enough to lay down His life for our freedom it is not a difficult stretch to believe that He is angered when we are hurt. He feels the pain that we feel, He is there when we cry those tears, He hurts right along with us. So…. I believe that I don’t have to worry about people getting what is “coming to them.” because I know that the God who died for me will also, in life, fight for me!
I leave you with a beautiful promise that I claim over several situations in my life already and I am sure I will claim in the future. His promise is found in Joel 2:18-27.
Then the LORD will be zealous for His land and will have pity on His people. The LORD will answer and say to His people, “Behold, I am going to send you grain, new wine and oil, And you will be satisfied in full with them; And I will never again make you a reproach among the nations. “But I will remove the northern army far from you, And I will drive it into a parched and desolate land, And its vanguard into the eastern sea, And its rear guard into the western sea. And its stench will arise and its foul smell will come up, For it has done great things.” Do not fear, O land, rejoice and be glad, For the LORD has done great things. Do not fear, beasts of the field, For the pastures of the wilderness have turned green, For the tree has borne its fruit, The fig tree and the vine have yielded in full. So rejoice, O sons of Zion, And be glad in the LORD your God; For He has given you the early rain for your vindication. And He has poured down for you the rain, The early and latter rain as before. The threshing floors will be full of grain, And the vats will overflow with the new wine and oil.
“Then I will make up to you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The creeping locust, the stripping locust and the gnawing locust, My great army which I sent among you. “You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied. And praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; Then My people will never be put to shame. “Thus you will know that I am in the midst of Israel, And that I am the LORD your God, And there is no other; And My people will never be put to shame.
