What If We Forgive?

July 7, 2009

Dear Fellow Travelers,
Your responses to yesterday’ perspective let me know in no uncertain terms that most of us need a regular reminder of the importance of forgiveness, especially our forgiving others. In my opinion, that says lots about the whole lot of us.
How can those of us who have been forgiven of so much, love so little, as to have a difficult time forgiving others, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. How can we with integrity receive God’s forgiveness, when we refuse to forgive those who offend us? How can we lay claim to personally trusting the efficacy of Jesus and His vicarious sacrifice, when we do not trust it’s effectiveness in the lives of others?
Yes, I know that some of you have been hurt—really hurt—by the actions (or lack thereof) of others, and I know that anyone, who would have to go through what you have experienced, would also have a difficult time releasing that enormous debt. I also know this: none of us have been hurt nearly as much as He was hurt by our rejection, our sinfulness—there is simply no comparison; the debts are incomparable. Furthermore, I know this: in spite of the depth of His hurt, in spite of the enormous debt we created (one we could never, ever repay!), He has forgiven us—forever—and He has chosen to call us His friend. The truth is this: He reconciled us to Himself while we were yet sinners (you can check that out in Romans 5, if you like)!
There is a bit of irony in this notion of forgiveness: we are slaves of the people we refuse to forgive. Really, we are! How foolish is that? Just for the record, there is only one way to freedom—F-O-R-G-I-V-E-N-E-S-S. You can live in your deception for as long as you wish, but you are the looser, not the offender.
I wonder what would happen in the Body of Christ if everyone who is refusing to for-give, did? I wonder what would happen in the Body of Christ if everyone who is holding another in his/her debt would mark that debt “Paid in Full”?
Maybe, just maybe, this is more important than we think.
You think about that—