Forgiveness
is the essence of Christianity. Though I never sought forgiveness or
even thought I needed it, God provided it through the life, death, and
resurrection of His Son. Though I was unworthy of forgiveness, God
provided it freely. Though I could never earn forgiveness, God provided
it freely through His Son. Though my list of sins is unending, God
provided forgiveness for them all, every one of them. The bedrock of
the Christian faith is that Jesus paid it all, freely, fully, and
eternally because He is love. When I accept that free gift of grace, I
become a child of God for eternity. Forgiven!
And now, God tells me as His child that He expects the same from me. "And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." He expects me to be forgiving, as forgiving as He was through the gift of His Son. He expects me to forgive those who have not sought my forgiveness nor even thought they needed to be forgiven. He expects me to forgive those who are unworthy of being forgiven. He expects me to forgive without demanding from the one forgiven some act to earn my forgiveness. He expects me to forgive freely, and fully, and eternally--the slate wiped cleaned just as He nailed all my sins on His cross, every one of them. Why does He ask me to forgive as He's forgiven me? The world must know that such forgiveness is available to all. Christians must know that such forgiveness is a vital activity within the family of God. Forgiveness is the essence of Christianity.
And when I find it difficult to forgive, I must reflect on the forgiveness I received. I was unworthy. I could never have earned it. I was for a time too proud to admit I needed it, too proud to accept it. And yet, without the slightest bit of reluctance, God provided it for me, freely, fully, and for eternity. If I cannot forgive, it's because I do not fully understand my own forgiveness purchased for me by the loving obedience of the Son. We must forgive as God, through Christ Jesus, has forgiven us.
And now, God tells me as His child that He expects the same from me. "And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." He expects me to be forgiving, as forgiving as He was through the gift of His Son. He expects me to forgive those who have not sought my forgiveness nor even thought they needed to be forgiven. He expects me to forgive those who are unworthy of being forgiven. He expects me to forgive without demanding from the one forgiven some act to earn my forgiveness. He expects me to forgive freely, and fully, and eternally--the slate wiped cleaned just as He nailed all my sins on His cross, every one of them. Why does He ask me to forgive as He's forgiven me? The world must know that such forgiveness is available to all. Christians must know that such forgiveness is a vital activity within the family of God. Forgiveness is the essence of Christianity.
And when I find it difficult to forgive, I must reflect on the forgiveness I received. I was unworthy. I could never have earned it. I was for a time too proud to admit I needed it, too proud to accept it. And yet, without the slightest bit of reluctance, God provided it for me, freely, fully, and for eternity. If I cannot forgive, it's because I do not fully understand my own forgiveness purchased for me by the loving obedience of the Son. We must forgive as God, through Christ Jesus, has forgiven us.
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