Forgiveness

 

Forgiveness is a cornerstone of the Christian faith, yet it's often one of the most difficult and challenging commands to obey. The act of letting go of a hurt, a betrayal, or an injustice can feel contrary to our natural human impulse for retribution. We are frequently taught that to forgive is a sign of great strength, but from a biblical perspective, the strength required for true forgiveness is not our own. It is a supernatural act made possible only through the grace and power of God working within us.

The Bible makes it abundantly clear that forgiveness is not an optional act for believers. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus links our ability to be forgiven by God directly to our willingness to forgive others. "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 6:14-15). This is echoed by the Apostle Paul, who encourages believers to "be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32). The mandate is simple, but the application is deeply complex. When faced with deep-seated pain, the human heart can feel paralyzed, unable to release the offense. This is precisely why our own strength is insufficient for the task.

The inherent difficulty of forgiveness reveals our need for a divine source of power. Our sinful nature holds onto bitterness and resentment, which can be a heavy burden to carry. The very act of releasing this burden is an act of faith, a step taken not by our own will but by surrendering to God's. The Apostle Paul understood this principle well, stating, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Corinthians 12:9). In our most profound moments of hurt and weakness, when we feel the least capable of forgiving, God's power is most able to be manifested. He does not ask us to perform an impossible feat on our own; rather, He asks us to yield our weakness to His strength. It is only when we admit our inability to forgive that we open the door for Christ's power to do the work in our hearts.

This divine transaction transforms forgiveness from a painful human effort into an act of worship. By choosing to obey God's command to forgive, we are not merely extending grace to another person; we are reflecting the grace that was first given to us. Our model is Christ, who, from the cross, said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). He didn't wait for an apology or for a change of heart in His persecutors. He extended forgiveness in the face of ultimate betrayal and pain. This serves as our ultimate example and the source of our strength. By focusing on God's immense forgiveness toward us—the sacrifice of His Son—our own need to forgive others is put into its proper perspective. It ceases to be an act of our own merit and becomes an overflow of the grace we have received.

Forgiveness is a command that requires an obedience far beyond our natural capabilities. The burden of bitterness and the desire for revenge can only be overcome by a power greater than ourselves. True biblical forgiveness is not about mustering up our own emotional strength; it is about surrendering our weakness to the perfect power of Christ. By relying on His strength and remembering the boundless forgiveness He has extended to us, we can begin to let go of our hurts and experience the freedom that comes from releasing the debts of others. In doing so, we not only obey a divine command but also participate in the very same grace that was first poured out on us.

-Pastor Patti