None of us would dispute the difficulty of forgiveness. Forgiveness is emotionally and spiritually complex and filled with sharp edges and difficult concepts.
As I watch many people and counsel others, I see common misconceptions concerning forgiveness. These misconceptions often hinder our willingness and ability to forgive. All this week I will be writing about these misconceptions. If you would like to receive this series, go to the top of the page and subscribe. By subscribing you will receive my free emails which will connect you with the series on forgiveness.
Many people believe to forgive is to excuse sinful behavior. In fact, people choose to stay in abusive relationships because they believe that is what forgiveness means. Regrettably, pastors sometimes counsel people based on the same faulty view of forgiveness.
Yesterday I preached from Hosea 3:1-5. Hosea’s wife Gomer committed adultery, probably had two children who were not from her husband, abandoned the children, and rejected Hosea. She also rejected God as she worshiped the fertility gods of Baal.
Predictably, Gomer’s life spiraled out of control. When she hit bottom, she found herself being sold as a common slave. What an apt picture of sin. It makes slaves of us.
God told Hosea to buy his wife back. Hosea obeyed God and took his wife home.
At that point, Hosea placed barriers and boundaries in the marriage and established the parameters under which the marriage would function. He told her she would not be a prostitute and their intimate relationship would resume only after a period of proving herself.
During one of my early studies of Hosea, I wrote these words in my Bible: “Love is neither blind nor weak.”
To love and forgive is to be strong. It means setting expectations and encouraging right behavior. It means expecting behavior which will strengthen the relationship and produce strong families.
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6 Responses
I’m looking forward to reading your thoughts on this topic this week.
As you know, this is not an easy topic. Please pray I will be clear, logical, and most importantly biblical and pleasing to the Spirit.
Another blogger, whom I shared with you, wrote about “labor” this morning. It struck me that just as people are not able to relate to others with such a different life style and what those demands are on the body, mind and emotions, there is a parallel here. If one has not been there, ones imagination cannot not even produce a vague representation of the experience. We, however, can get out in a field and work with those who are there day in and day out to realize our suitability. At best, Hosea can only point to an Ideal which is unimaginable to allow you to ask: Can you imagine such a Love, picture such Forgiveness? It is Forgiveness Love from the Cross, is it not? It has a Purpose!
Thus you did well in taking the unimaginable, unless the hearer has lived such forgiveness, and challenged your audience with a spiritual Truth. Interesting presentation.
Happy Labor Day.
Blessings
Thank you!
I will be ‘Sharing’ your writings on Forgiveness.
Knowing right perspective on ‘forgiveness’ makes the journey not so scary…… and sweeter ~
Your writings on ‘forgiveness’ are blessed.
Thank You, and may God bless your heart.
Kathy
Thanks Kathy, I agree right thinking makes a real difference.