CREDIT: Woodley Wonderworks on Flickr
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Normally I start with an image or example in these little notes. Today I start with a question. What’s truly the hardest thing to do? If we’re honest, I think the hardest thing for any of us to do is this — to truly forgive someone who has hurt us or someone we love. I’m not speaking of simply saying, “I forgive you,” but really meaning it by not letting the offense hang over the other’s head … or letting it hang around in your head causing anger and hurt to return. Forgiveness is hard indeed.
But when we’re forgiven, how good does that feel?! Walking around with sin weighing us down can feel like carrying a 50-pound pack on our backs all day and trying to sleep with it too! Then, suddenly, when forgiveness is received, our load is lightened. We might even feel like we can fly!
So, if forgiveness feels so good when received, why is it so hard to give?
God knows how important forgiveness is — which is why Jesus says, “I do not say to you (to forgive) seven times, but seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:22)In the parable that follows, the servant with the insurmountable 10,000 talent debt exemplifies our problem with forgiveness. He’s filled with joy to receive forgiveness of his entire debt by his master. But when he’s asked to forgive a large, but still manageable 100 days wages of debt owed him by a fellow servant … he can’t. Forgiveness is hard.
But that doesn’t make it optional. Jesus calls us to forgive each other — fully and completely, regardless of the sin — just as God our Father fully and completely forgives us each day of our lives, granting us the priceless gift of eternal life with Him. And what’s more, He also completely and fully forgets the sins we’ve committed. (Psalm 103:10-12) We may not be able to forget when we forgive, but God doesn’t call us to forget like Him — only to forgive. Forgiveness is hard. But it’s not optional.
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Jim