“To forgive or not forgive” – that is the question. Although Jesus said in Matthew 6:14 [NLT],“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.” The point made in Matthew’s passage focuses on the “if”, i.e., you have a choice to make for taking the action to forgive or not for someone else’s trespass (sin) against you. But the “choice” brings in the “if/then” clause whereby “if” you make the first move of forgiveness, “then” God will forgive you for your trespasses (sin). I believe Jesus is telling us that we have to make the first move.
Next week is one of the most important weeks in both the Christian and Jewish liturgical calendars, namely, Holy Week and Passover, when we celebrate God saving His people, both Gentile and Jew, for all eternity. The common theme between these two events that spanned hundreds of years between occurrences is blood – yes, the pouring out of blood that brought about freedom from slavery and endeared all mankind to God, our Creator.
At the first Passover, thousands of lambs were sacrificed and their blood smeared on the doorposts of Jewish homes to save their inhabitants from the angel of death sweeping across Egypt. At the first Good Friday, Jesus, the “Lamb of God”, voluntarily shed His blood on the cross to save us and free us from sin and death, enabling all mankind to establish and sustain a personal relationship with God for all eternity. By Jesus’ personal sacrifice on the cross, the ultimate act of forgiveness was performed for all present at Calvary to witness.
But what would have happened if the Jewish people living in Egypt did not obey the words of God for how to escape their imprisonment? God said if you follow my command, then you will be saved. And what if Jesus decided to not obey His Father’s will to go to the cross and suffer the death by crucifixion? God told His Son that if you obey my will, and go to your death via the cross, then all of mankind would be forever saved from the slavery to sin and death. Again, the “if/then” statement is applied. God says “if” you do what I ask, “then”, I will do what I said I would do for you. This is a two-step process.
It sounds so easy, but as humans, we know sometimes it is extremely difficult to forgive someone else for what they did. I’m not talking about accidental missteps. I’m focusing here on the hurts from the unprovoked, malicious, intentional actions by another person (persons) that cut deep into your heart, mind, and soul that robbed you of your peace, joy, and happiness. You did nothing to deserve the lies, deceit, physical or emotional hurts and trauma, the “put-down”, the unfair, prejudicial judgments, or the betrayals of a spouse, loved one, co-worker, or close friend. How can the wounds ever be healed? Many times the saying, “time heals all wounds” just doesn’t apply because it may take a lifetime to heal.
But to be free to live and grow into the person we want to be, we must forgive and release that pain from our hearts, minds, and souls. If forgiveness is not given, then we remain enslaved and shackled to that millstone called “unforgiveness” which prevents us from being truly free – free to feel the peace, joy, love and happiness that God wants us to embrace this side of heaven.
During this Lenten season, I’ve been reflecting on the many Bible passages detailing the final weeks leading up to Jesus’ betrayal, trial, crucifixion, death, and resurrection. In the Scripture accounts, we can see how Jesus endured similar trespasses and lies said against Him, but yet He still said, “forgive them for they know not what they do.” Despite the many hurts He suffered, He still loved all of us enough to die for us so we could enjoy a new relationship with God and be blessed with everlasting life in heaven. Forgiveness reigned supreme on that first Good Friday and everyday since then to our enduring benefit.
Although it is difficult to forgive, it is in our best interest to practice forgiveness in our daily lives and interactions with others in our circle of life. We need to allow the Holy Spirit’s power to drill through that brick wall we’ve erected to establish the boundaries of protection surrounding our heart, so He can find that nugget of love that will be the catalyst for practicing forgiveness.
Whether the trespasser offers an apology and seeks forgiveness or not, we must forgive them in our heart so our souls can be freed from the senseless shackles of unforgiveness. I’m not saying that will be an easy task at all, it’s just that it will be worth it in the long run.
We cannot live in the past and expect to move forward into the new day. To be totally free, we must possess the strongest desire to liberate our souls, to do otherwise will impose another form of slavery on our human existence.
During the Lenten season, we remember how Jesus came out of the darkness of sin and death in the tomb into a new light of life with God that we now share with Him. Therefore, do not stay in the darkened tomb of unforgiveness, break out and enjoy the light, the freedom, the peace, the love, and the joy you can experience by practicing forgiveness now and for the rest of your life.
Live, Love, and Grow in Jesus!!
Happy Easter and Passover!!
Blessings,
Jerry
