Forgiveness

Forgiveness in a powerful yet difficult word. Powerful for those that yield it….and yet it is illusive. We often times casually offer the phase, “Please forgive me.” And we nonchalantly reply, “no problem.” Oh that is just too easy. That is the everyday no big deal stuff. What about the serious things that we are asked to forgive? What if those that offend us never ask to forgive them? Do we have to? Well, they didn’t ask. Can we ever really forgive?

I think it is easy to offer up the words but much more difficult to actually forgive. Forgive but never forget. That is the tough part.  If we cannot forget, how in the world can we ever forgive? Are there certain things we don’t HAVE TO forgive? If we never forgive, how can we expect to be forgiven ourselves?

The scriptures tell us in Luke 6:37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Ok, so I guess that tells us we better be careful of our actions and feelings towards others…..because it can come back on us….from others. How about this one? Luke 17:3 “Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.” So here you go…..if they ask, you need to forgive.

That is what you need to do but it may not be what you want to do.  Not always are your wants important because you should WANT to please the Lord…..therefore, forgive….because he wants you to forgive. Remember, you will also want to be forgiven. On the surface, these things are insignificant.  Down deep we have to think more about how far this forgiveness should go.  If someone kills a loved one, can you forgive them? It can never be altered or changed. That loved one will always be gone and simple words won’t change that. A scar like that carries a lot a weight and is difficult to overlook. Jesus on the cross even prayed to his Father in heaven and asked him to forgive those who persecuted him…..because they didn’t know what they were doing. Luke 23:34

Pain is a difficult emotion to overcome.  Adding the pressure of carrying the burden is just one more load to weight of burden. Yes, it is a bigger burden to yourself to carry that hatred, anger, suffering etc. around with you all the time. Can you just imagine your legs buckling under the weight? Can you imagine if that weight was lifted off your shoulders, how much more you could do? How much more you could accomplish? How much more that lays at your feet because your offered up forgiveness? Just think of all the time and energy is wasted inside your head, body and every part of your body just harboring that negative attitude.

I know, it isn’t really easy to accomplish.  Easy to say, but more difficult to do.  It is a struggle that more and more of us carry as we go throughout our lives.  Imagine how much weight we have been carrying around for years with all the built up pain towards others. I know I have done that…..and still do.  I struggle with forgiveness.  But I am sure that I would plead for forgiveness from others if the opportunity arose. It has….I am sure of that. Just vanishing from our memory doesn’t it.  Funny how that works.  We seems to forget all the horrible things that we have done and asked for forgiveness but we cannot forget about what others have done to us. Can you say Hypocrite?

Until we forgive, we cannot be forgiven.  Maybe this little thing has been holding back God’s blessings for you.  Is your pride in the way? Lay it down.  Forgive…..and forget.

Yes, I am preaching to myself…….but this is what I believe……and if it is, then I need to act upon it and follow through. My friends…..please forgive me too.