Forgiveness

Not an easy concept to get around. Yet Jesus plainly stated that if we don't forgive others when they sin against us, our heavenly Father won't forgive us when we ask Him for it.

Sorry! I didn't write it, I didn't say it--I'm just the messenger. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself, God come in the flesh, Creator of the universe (according to Paul in Colossians)--He said it, and I believe He meant it.

I have read commentators over the years (not just a few!) who have attempted to dismiss these words, or water them down. Can't do that. Or do it, to your own peril.

You see, Scripture, in my view, doesn't teach that we can receive Christ as Lord and Savior, and His forgiveness, and then go on living without Him changing us. The apostles and the Church Fathers (bishops and leaders of the early Church) all taught that being a Christian (knowing Christ) will result in a change in our lives. That involves forgiving others.

Jesus told a parable (story to make a point) about a man who had been forgiven a huge debt, which almost resulted in he and his wife and children being sold into slavery to repay that debt. He asked to work the debt off (which was impossible, it was so huge), and his lender had compassion and forgave the debt. Then the forgiven man walked up the street, grabbed a guy who owed him a small amount, and choked him, demanding payment. Jesus said that he had a bad memory, in so many words--he had forgotten the compassion he had just been shown.

We do that. We sinned against God, and in Christ He's forgiven us. Then we don't want to forgive our fellow human beings who sin against us. Our hearts are to be changed for that, because we're thankful God has forgiven us, we're willing to forgive others.

Yes, I know people do evil to us. They deeply hurt us, sometimes do things that can never be repaired. Doesn't change the truth. A minute ago, while typing, i got a cramp in my leg. I had to get up and walk it out, work the cramp out. It's still trying to cramp up. People do the same thing--they hurt us. We have to work it out.

How do we do that? Admit to God we don't want to forgive--they don't deserve it. But neither do we, and He forgives us. We ask for the desire to forgive. He will give it. Then express to Him that we're willing to forgive. "Lord, it hurts, and it's right to forgive, but I don't want to. Right now, I give it up--that I want them to "get what's theirs"--I'll tell you about all the anger I have. I forgive them with my will--I purpose in my mind and heart that I will treat them like You do, even if I don't feel like it. I will do good to them, if I have opportunity." Put the prayer in your own words. What we say and do doesn't have to match our feelings--they'll catch up eventually, if we offer them to God.

Want forgiveness? Give it. Begin the "process," as some have called it. Sometimes we must forgive in steps. That's OK, if we're trying to give it up to God and have the attitude He wants us to have about it.

Question to ask ourselves in this process: Did the person intend to sin against me and those close to me? Did they do it out of ignorance, or because of their perception of things? Something for us to think about. If our perception on certain things was different in the past, we may not have sinned there, either. As humans, we sometimes see things differently. So that should allow for an extra measure of compassion to be thrown into all of this.

I, as a Christian, MUST acknowledge that you are a human being like me, and subject to make bad judgements and sin against other people. Like me. I, as a human, do the same. I MUST forgive you fully, the best I can right now, even if it must be a process. You ask, "Even if they continue to do it?" Yes, even if they continue to do it. How do we do that? We ask the Holy Spirit to come be with us (if we know Jesus He's already inside us) and fill us up with Him, and help us to change and be the way God wants His people to be.

That's the only real life here on the planet, to walk in the love, forgiveness, and joy of Jesus Christ.

I forgive you. Please forgive me. Let us be reconciled, should be what we say and do, as Christians. Anger and bitterness will ruin us. I won't let it do that to me. I pray the same for you. Let us love other people with the love of Christ. And enjoy His forgiveness, and Him being with us.


under the mercy,
fr francis