The Challenge of Forgiveness

     As Christians, we know and sometimes pray what is called the Lord's Prayer as found in Matthew 6:9-13.  Part of that prayer says, "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us" (Matthew 6:12).  In that prayer, Jesus is stressing the importance of forgiveness; both for us and for those around us.  The word for "forgive" in this text is the word aphiemi.  Jesus is talking about forgiving here, and I think the root of the word give us an image of what it looks like.  The root means "to send away, dismiss, or wipe off."  The idea is we are asking God to "send away," "dismiss," or "wipe off" our sins/trespasses, just as we are willing to do so for those who wrong us.  I realize that this is not a revolutionary idea, nor am I the first to draw out the word picture seen in "forgive."   However, as I sit here today, I am convinced that a lot of people struggle with the challenge of forgiveness.  I see it show up in two different ways.

     First, there are a lot of people who struggle to forgive those who've wronged them.  Someone has hurt them, said something to them or even spent a lifetime ignoring, disrespecting and maligning them.  It happens in families, among friends and, sadly, in the church.  It's hard to just "let it go" and move on, acting as if nothing ever happened.  It is hard to forgive, even when the one who's wronged us asks forgiveness.  There is something in us that cries out for justice.  We want the wrongs righted and the wrongdoer punished.  Forgiveness, while not alleviating consequences, is restorative in nature.  Sometimes we'd rather not have the person restored.  We'd rather see them suffer a bit.  I know that's a harsh sentence.  I re-read it and it is, but I think it's true.  The first challenge of forgiveness is to release those who've wronged us, whether they seek forgiveness or not.  That's not easy, but to do so frees us from bitterness and anger.  It prevents the corrosion of hate in our hearts.  What does that kind of forgiveness look like?  I think we go back to the root of the word.  It is to dismiss or to send away the actions of that person.  We no longer dwell upon what was done, nor do we allow it to affect our present or future.  The identical relationship that once existed with that person may not be possible anymore (that may be one of the consequences of the action), but, as I see it, forgiving means you no longer see the act when you see the person. 

     There is a second challenge to forgiveness that, I think, is also tough.  Many people struggle to accept that they are forgiven, by Jesus or by others.  It's like it's too good to be true.  John writes, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness: (1 John 1:9).  We read and understand that, but when it comes to accepting it, that's another thing.  We know the Bible is true, but...

          How can God forgive my past?
  
         How can Jesus wash away the things I used to do?

         I've done so many hurtful things.  Is it even possible to forgive them?   

     Because we doubt whether God's forgiveness applies to us, we live lives full of fear, anxiety and doubt.  We always wonder whether God is going to love us or, at the end, if there's going to be a massive display of all the times we've failed.   Because we don't grasp his forgiveness, we stumble through life hoping that one good deed will outweigh all the bad we've done.  It's not a good way to live.  I think we know that.  How do we accept his forgiveness?  Perhaps that, too, goes back to the root of the word "forgive." We have to recognize that we are no longer defined by the acts of the past.  It doesn't mean we don't have to deal with the consequences of our actions, but our past sins don't color our present or future.  It is important for us to understand that God truly removes us from our sin "as far as the east is from the west" (Psalm 103:12).  The words of the old hymn really are true; "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

     It's hard, I think, to pray the Lord's Prayer without contemplating what forgiveness means.  I pray that you know the wonderful freedom forgiveness brings.  Thanks for reading.  Have a blessed day...