Lately I have felt led by the Holy Spirit to dig into forgiveness. Easy-peasy...I can forgive anyone for anything. BUT--do I forget? Do I harbor anger, shame, guilt, sadness, or the entire range of emotions wrapped up into one ugly burrito? So, did I really, truly forgive?
C.S. Lewis wrote: "Forgiveness is a beautiful word, until you have something (or someone) to forgive." That leads me straight to the words of Jesus in Matthew about running out to forgive and remembering that if we don't forgive, God will NEVER forgive us. I contend that we have difficulty forgiving because we have not fully received and comprehended God's grace toward us as we sin routinely and ask forgiveness.
The second half of forgiveness requires us to let go of the hurt. Recognizing our level of forgiveness also makes us understand the gravity of the sin against us. When we forgive them, we as Christians are NOT condoning the behavior or giving them a buy. Certainly not! Forgiveness settles the debt just as Jesus did on the cross for us. Forgetting is a psychological function within the brain, whereas forgiveness is a spiritual function that we can indeed control.
Remembering things have taught me a lot about life. Never stick your tongue in a light socket, never light a smoke bomb in the parsonage right after church, never touch a hot stove, NEVER marry a woman who doesn't love God more than you do. Yep, all of these things my mom and dad old me and I did anyway. And they are lessons I will never forget. Sometimes God allows painful memories as a reminder to stay close to Him.
Comments