Forgiveness

September 8, 2009 by David Ashcraft
Throughout life, accidents happen; people do things unintentionally or intentionally to one another and have to either ask for forgiveness [1] forgive someone. It is easy to become defensive when apologizing – “I apologize even though I wasn’t at fault.” “Look if you want an apology, here it is: here goes, Sorry.” Likewise, when you are the one who has been hurt or taken advantage of, you must forgive – even when the other person has not asked for forgiveness! And, yes, you are right; forgiving someone who has really hurt you isn’t the easy action to take. But it is the Christian response. It is the right thing to do. Why, you might ask? Forgiving one another is taught demonstrated and commanded by Jesus and the inspired writers of the Bible. Let’s take a look at some passages from the Bible.

In Ephesians 4:3, Paul writes, Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave you. Note particularly the phrase, “just as Christ forgave you.” Jesus, the Christ, is the example of how we are to live our lives. He left heaven to live on this earth as a man. He was sinless, and yet he was willingly crucified. He was totally innocent of all charges against him and still He was found guilty and hanged on a cross. He was murdered. Just before He died, Luke 23:34 quotes Jesus as he asks God to forgive those who murdered Him, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." So when Paul encourages us to forgive each other as Christ forgave us, he expects us to forgive those who wrongly accuse us; he expects us to forgive those who willfully misuse us.

Paul makes a similar command in Colossians 3:12-14. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Note the phrase, “forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Jesus’ death on the cross is the payment for our sins and by that death Jesus forgave all my sins. He forgave all your sins. So, if we are to follow Jesus’ example, we are to forgive those who commit sins against us.

You might say, “But I don’t approve of what that person did to me. It hurt me deeply. It cost me money. It embarrassed me. It wasn’t right.” The Bible does not say that we condone sin or that we approve sin or that we approve a wrong against us. In fact, in Ephesians we find the encouragement - “Instead speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is Christ.” We don’t deny the hurt that someone caused us; we can speak truthfully about the hurtful action. But we are to love our enemies and pray for them and yes, forgive them for the hurt they caused us.

Other passages which encourage forgiveness include,

Matthew 5:23-24. Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 6:12-15. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.[2]

Mark 11:25-26. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone forgive him that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you don’t forgive, neither will you Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.

All of these passages are Jesus’ teaching on the concept of forgiveness. As you read through them, do they portray forgiveness as just a feeling or as something that requires a deliberate decision? A careful reading will show that forgiveness does in fact require action on our part. And, note that these passages teach that if we are not willing to forgive others, God is not willing to forgive us. That is a very strong statement. Yet it is in the Bible and is a principle throughout the New Testament.

Although not mentioned in these particularly verses, we know that failure to forgive someone can eat us alive internally. We all know people who remain bitter and angry at someone - sometimes after that person has died. The Bible teaches that the better way is to forgive.

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[1] There are many scripture references to forgiveness: in the Bible. Here are just a few:

Understanding God’s forgiveness should make us more willing to forgive, Romans 12:17-21

Forgiveness means forgetting the wrong committed against you, Psalms 103:12

Forgiveness is the first step in restoring a relationship, Matthew 5:22

Forgiveness is possible only through faith in Jesus Christ, John 20:23

We should grant forgiveness in infinite number of times, atthew 18:22

We should forgive before judging others, John 8:7

Forgiveness is tied to obedience to God , John 8:51

Forgiveness is the key to our relationship with God, Luke 11:4

Forgiveness changes bitterness to joy, Luke 15:30

Jesus forgave his disciples, Matthew 28:10

[2] Forgiveness begins when you choose to treat another person the same way you want God to treat you. It’s when you extend the same underserved mercy god extended to you through the sacrifice of His Son. Forgiveness happens when you let “God be the Judge of another and release all your anger and vengeance over to Him. It means that you set the offender free from the debt they owe you and let them out of the prison of anger you have keeping your heart. Love Dare Bible Study