God's act of forgiveness toward us is a one-time event. We ask once, he forgives, he forgets, and that's the end of it. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
Our forgiveness of others should be the same, but sometimes it's not that cut and dried.
Sometimes, forgiveness is a process that has to be repeated again and again. Maybe as many as ten years ago—or even twenty—someone hurt you. You forgave them and, for all practical purposes, forgot about it...until something happened to re-open the wound. It could be a conversation, or a circumstance, or a chance event, or any number of other things that causes you to find yourself struggling again with unforgiveness. It's not that you weren't sincere in your first (or second, or third) attempt to forgive them, it's just that the hurt will not go completely away.
Sometimes we have to forgive someone again and again before it is settled completely in our own mind.
Jesus told Peter that we are to forgive our brother "seventy-times-seven." [Matthew 18:22] I always assumed he was referring to "seventy-times-seven" separate offenses. The fact is, he could have been referring to one single event.
If you want to succeed in life, you must be able to forgive. In fact, if you want to survive in life, you must be able to forgive. We strive to forgive as we have been forgiven—immediately and absolutely—but sometimes it takes us awhile to reach that point.
When old wounds are re-opened, we have to treat them as if they were brand new: take them to cross, lay them at Jesus feet, and ask him for the grace to forgive as he has forgiven you.
Don't let past hurts hold you back. Reliving the pain from last month, or last year, or your previous church, or from junior high, isn't worth the price you have to pay. It keeps you from focusing on what God has called you to do today: serve him with joy, and love him with all your heart.
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3 comments:
It is so true that sometimes in life we need to re-forgive others! That is a challenge since the revenge message is a temporary satisfaction that the "world" delivers. On a side note the guest speaker yesterday was great! Its so important to keep the church focused during a crucial election. I pray for you and the staff during one more transition. God always prevails...
Forgiveness is important, as if we can not forgive others how can we expect to have God forgive us. but forgiveness does not mean you become a door mat.
Many times Forgiveness comes with also holding someone accountable for thier actions. this has to be kept always in mind. Becuase if we continue to allow the same behaviour to continue, then forgiveness does not fix the problem. I have found many times when you are wronged, that it is not the first time the person has done it.
So then accountability has to come in play.
Accountability is NOT revenge, but has to be done in a Godly way to break the cycle so that all can grow.
See scriptures Galatians 6:1-2 , Romans 14:12, Hebrews 10:24
I spent 1 decade working with a person who tried to get me written-up, fired, you name it... Then he/she got the position I was much more qualified for than he/she was due to political correctness and deceitful tongues voiced against me (Oh yes, My bosses too wanted me gone). Well, 3 more years and I was asked to help him/her. Thank God Allmighty for long since removing the root of bitterness inside me for I was happy to have him/her train me, and I showed it with my friendly, interested attitude. It turned out that even though he/she had apparently won whatever battle he/she was engaged in against me, that only my total destruction would satisfy him/her. Finally the Corporate leaders put the business needs first and he/she was gone. There is some residual hate towards me with other members of the Corporation in that I do not get 1/10th the support and training he/she did when he/she was promoted, and I have never gotten the raise he/she got, never got the title he/she got. I guess it's OK to jepordize somebody's future, health, home as long as they are not liked for irrational reasons. But, we live in a fallen world and I do not expect fairness or any sort of justice here. Only when I meet God and all the saints in heaven will I find rest. I really had forgiven the person, but they just wouldn't have it. To be hated for ten years while those who claim to be authority figures stand by and laugh is painful, hurtful and rude. I have spoken this person's name out loud in the congregation when the pastor asked us to name aloud those who we are praying for. I cried to the Lord to heal their hearts as had healed mine so many years ago. Praise the Lord Jesus' name-Amen
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