Some people think of forgiveness as the act of someone weak or deluded, maybe even simple and naive. Is forgiveness naive?
I think of a forgiving person as strong, determined, and fully and completely aware of the larger world.
Forgiveness is being fully aware of the wrong someone has done to us and still choosing to forgive. I see two significant aspects of forgiveness.
First, forgiveness is being aware. Though some people might think of Christians as weak or naive, forgiveness at its most significant point comes from people who know exactly what has been done to them and still choose to forgive.
To be a Christian is not to be naive. Could you consider Jesus naive on the cross? In full view of His attackers and tormenters, Jesus called to the Father to forgive them because they did not know the significance of what they were doing. Those who crucified Christ were the ones unaware. They did not know God and did not see God working right in their midst.
Jesus, on the other hand, knew exactly what had happened and why. Though He knew all of this, He forgave.
We show the real significance of our relationship with God when we understand how we have been hurt and still choose to forgive. That shows our obedience to God in the most wonderful way possible.
For the next several days I will be writing about forgiveness. If you would like to receive an email concerning my daily look at life and Scripture, please subscribe at the top right hand of the page. It’s free and easy to do.
Second, forgiveness is an act of the will. It is an active choice we make. No one “feels” like forgiving. Doing the right thing usually doesn’t “feel” good, at least not at first. I can’t think of anything about forgiveness which is easy.
Forgiveness demands our obedience and submission to God. We do not forgive becuase it is easy. We forgive in spite of the fact it is hard.
We choose forgiveness because God chose us and made us His own.
4 Responses
I would enjoy your messages more if the blurb about subscribing came at the end, and did not disrupt your wonderful message.
Thanks for the critique. I’ll take a look at that. I appreciate your reading.
Every place we see in the Gospel that Forgiveness is given by Christ a way is provided. That final “Forgiveness” shows Him leaving with a way to protect who was important to Him, in the Gospel of John 19: 26-27. In this chapter we also see an acknowledgement of God’s allowance of His pain and suffering for His purpose, His human condition: “I thirst.” And His declaration of the fulfillment of His Mission: “It is finished.” There is no mention of forgiveness in this chapter which chronicles from Pilate to His burial. Interesting, in Light of John 1.
Is it a mistake to attempt to insert “forgiveness” into the teaching of how the “wicked” may become “righteous?” Or, at least, doesn’t it deserve better context? Ezekiel gives, as you give, the warning: one must be sincere, reconciled. Verse 31 & 32: “And they come unto Thee as the people cometh, and they sit before Thee as my people, and they hear Thy Words, but will not do them: for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goes after their covetousness. And, lo, Thou are unto them as a very lovely song of one that has a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear Thy Words, but they do them not.” It was a great series. It was a brave series. It was a much needed series. Thank you!
Indeed, forgiveness is an act of the will (His Will), it is not naive, it isn’t done to placate the desires of others. It is done as an act to Glorify God, Calling His People to rally for His Purpose. Romans 12: 4 & 5 Matthew 28: 19 & 20
Blessings
I agree. Forgiveness is first and foremost an attempt to glorify God.