The Freedom of Forgiving – Part 2
“And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors..”
Matthew 6:12
Reconciliation is the rebuilding of a trusting relationship, and it takes time. Forgiving is so many things, let’s look a few:
Forgiveness deals with real sin, with the inexcusable, the unforgettable, and unacceptable. In other words, forgiveness means pardoning the unpardonable. Anything else is no forgiveness at all, merely excusing.
Forgiveness means erasing the act…letting go of the wrong.
Forgiveness is granted, not earned.
Forgiveness is an effort of one’s divine will, not a prisoner of natural emotions.
The reason for forgiveness is found in the forgiver, not the forgiven.
The forgiver pays what the forgiven owes. According to Christ’s teaching this parable, only the king can forgive the debt, which he does by paying for it himself. On a far more important level, this is message of the Gospel.
The debt we sinners owe to a Holy God is paid for by the debt-holder Himself, God the Son, through His death on the Cross.The ultimate, real source of forgiveness is God’s forgiveness.
The refusal to forgive is costly. Releasing the offended from a desire to retaliate on the offender is not a one-time action, but forgiveness is remade continually……..probably over a lifetime!
The secret of forgiveness is grace. Grace received is grace displayed. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
Link to YouTube Video – Grace Greater Than Our Sin
