There is liberating power in forgiveness and reconciliation. Forgiveness is not easy, but what it does in a person is quite spectacular. I came across a story of a mother who once came to President Lincoln seeking a pardon for her son. The result, Lincoln issued a pardon. After leaving him, she told Thaddeus Stevens, “I knew it was a lie!” Stevens asked: “What are you referring to?” She enthusiastically replied, “Why, they told me he was an ugly-looking man, but he is the most handsome man I ever saw!” The power of forgiveness is irrefutable. Therefore, it seems only wise to investigate its practical implications on our lives.
To forgive means to pardon, to cancel a debt. Forgiveness is not given because a person deserves to be forgiven. It’s an act of extravagant love and grace. Forgiveness does not mean we place ourselves into or back into harmful situations. It does not mean we approve of a person’s continued wrong behavior. Forgiveness means we release a person from the wrong they committed against us. Simply stated, forgiveness is giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me.
In Matthew 6 we find the account of Jesus teaching how to pray. A particular line in the Lord’s Prayer is germane to our topic. “Lord forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). Jesus was not teaching that believers earned God’s forgiveness by forgiving others; for this would be contrary to God’s free grace and mercy. However, if we have truly experienced God’s forgiveness, then we will have a readiness to forgive others (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13). Our Lord illustrated this principle in the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matt. 18:21–35). Therefore, forgiveness of those who wrong us is the necessary response to God’s forgiveness of us, but it does not earn us forgiveness.
As we explore the Bible we find that holding onto grudges is a heavy emotional and spiritual burden. It’s seen as detrimental to one’s well-being, hindering spiritual growth, and creating a barrier to experiencing the fullness of God’s love and grace. Jesus’ teachings emphasize the importance of forgiveness, suggesting that carrying grudges can lead to inner turmoil, hinder relationships, and distance individuals from the transformative power of God’s mercy. We must understand that letting go of grudges is a way to find emotional healing and spiritual freedom.
Consider the example of Dutch Christian and Holocaust survivor Corrie ten Boom. Despite enduring the horrors of a concentration camp during World War II, she forgave her former captors. She once met one of the guards from the concentration camp after the war. Despite the initial struggle, she extended forgiveness, emphasizing the Christian principle of letting go of hatred and embracing compassion even in the face of immense suffering. Ten Boom’s life and teachings reflect a profound commitment to forgiveness and reconciliation. Corrie ten Boom once explained, “Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.”
Paul writes in Colossians, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive” (Colossians 3:12-13). As God is holy, believers must be holy by putting on His compassion, kindness, meekness, and patience. These characteristics are evidenced by a forgiving spirit, and the fruit of God’s Spirit at work within us. We must embrace that forgiveness is a powerful force capable of liberating individuals from negative emotions and fostering freedom from resentment and hatred.
Christ models forgiveness so brilliantly on the cross. We read of Jesus’ words as He was crucified: “And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do’” (Luke 23:24). Can you imagine any greater love? This act of forgiveness exemplifies profound grace and mercy, showcasing Jesus’ compassion even in the face of immense suffering. Think about it! Jesus asked God to forgive the people who were putting him to death—Jewish leaders, Roman politicians and soldiers, and bystanders—and God answered that prayer by opening up the way of salvation even to Jesus’ murderers. Jesus was suffering the most horrible, painful death ever devised by man, and He looked at the people responsible for his suffering and prayed for their forgiveness. The Roman officer and soldiers who witnessed the Crucifixion said, “This man truly was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54). Soon many priests were converted to the Christian faith (Acts 6:7).
Because none of us are without sin, we all played a part in putting Jesus to death. The good news is that God is gracious. He will forgive us and give us new life through His Son. What an example for all of us. In fact, forgiveness, as modeled by Christ, encourages us all to have a spirit of forgiveness and understanding, recognizing the potential for redemption and transformation in others, even when faced with wrongdoing.
Paul, writing on healing broken relationships, proclaims, “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). “All of this is from God” speaks of our salvation coming from God, not Paul or anyone else. It’s humanity that’s estranged from God. Through Christ’s death, God has “reconciled” those who have received Christ as Savior and Lord. Therefore, as ambassadors of Christ, we are to proclaim this Good News and to implore those far from God, yet so close to His heart, to be reconciled to Him. Forgiveness, found in Christ, is at the heart of our being reconciled with God and the basis for our reconciliation with one another. Consider this. Reconciliation is the language of the cross. It’s the divine bridge that spans the chasm between people and God, and between one person and another, built with the beams of mercy and love exemplified by Christ.
Let’s acknowledge that there are challenges in forgiveness. Receiving forgiveness from God may involve grappling with feelings of guilt and the need for personal growth. Offering forgiveness to others can be challenging due to hurt, pride, or fear of vulnerability. Both processes often require reflection and a willingness to let go. Philippians 4:13 states, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” To overcome obstacles through prayer and reliance on God’s strength, seek His guidance in prayer, trust His plan, and draw on the strength He provides. Prayer fosters a connection, and acknowledging reliance on God empowers you to face challenges with faith and resilience. You might say, “I can’t do it.” But God says, “Through My strength you can!” No doubt, forgiveness with God is possible through Christ, and forgiving others is possible through Christ’s strength.
As we’ve explored what the Bible teaches on forgiveness and reconciliation, its liberating power is irrefutable. The only reasonable response is to seek our Lord’s help in accepting His forgiveness of us through Christ and in Christ’s strength learn how to forgive others. Imagine a heavy chain that binds the heart with resentment and pain. Forgiveness, like a master key, unlocks these chains, liberating the soul to embrace restoration and find newfound freedom. Here’s the good news. Just as a wounded tree can bloom again with proper care, so too can our spirits flourish when watered with the transformative power of forgiveness and reconciliation. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!