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Three of the most beautiful words in any language are the simple words ‘I forgive you’. When sincere, they have the power to sweep away anger, bitterness and guilt and bring healing to broken relationships. Even so, many of us struggle to understand just what it means to really forgive someone. Some say ‘forgive and forget’, but is that even possible? How do you expunge a memory from the mind? Others say they will forgive but never forget and thereby cling to strong emotions that prevent genuine healing of a wounded heart.
In his letter to the Colossians, the Apostle Paul encourages us to ‘Forgive as the Lord forgave you’ (Col. 3:13).Now that’s beautiful language, but what does this kind forgiveness look like in everyday life? We must remember that it cost God dearly to forgive our sin and a genuine God-like forgiveness will cost us as well. In the Bible, forgiveness always involves sacrifice. The writer of the book of Hebrews says; ‘without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness’ (Heb. 9:22). That is, on the cross, Jesus, God’s own son, bore the penalty for our sin. An infinite debt required an infinite sacrifice. Thus when we turn in faith to Christ, our forgiveness is full and free, but it is not cheap!
So, it’s very important that we take the words of the Lord Jesus seriously when he said, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me’ (Lk.9:23). This means that if we are to forgive others as God in Christ has forgiven us, it will cost us! The cross was an instrument of death and real forgiveness always demands the death of the sinful self and its anger, hatred, bitterness and desire for revenge. As God has forgiven us, so we are to forgive others, and notice, this is not a suggestion, it’s a command. Take heart dear Christian, what God requires us to do, he enables us to do!
With thanks to the Peace Maker Ministries, the following are the Four Promises of Biblical Forgiveness.
1) I will not dwell on this incident (Hebrews 8:12)
2) I will not bring this incident up again and use it against you(Psalm 103:12)
3) I will not talk to others about this incident (James 1:26)
4) I will not let this incident stand between us or hinder our personal relationship (Psalm 103:10)
We who have put our full faith in Christ are called to be different. This sin-broken world desperately needs to see men and women changed by the grace of God in Christ, practicing a radical God-like forgiveness toward those who ‘trespass against us’.Remember Paul’s admonition; ‘as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone’ (Rom.12:18). Such radical obedience would revolutionize our homes, our churches, and perhaps even our nation.
May God grant you grace day by day to ‘forgive as God has forgiven you’.
Pastor Clyde Phillips
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