A Work of Love
Forgiveness is the greatest act of love one can show.
When you really think about it, to forgive is to open the cell door of the guilty, and say, “You can go.” Even if they have shown no remorse and no change in behavior. We can swing wide the door of bitterness and unforgiveness and walk away.
Jesus did this for us.
When He accepted The Fathers will and died in our place on the cross, He, in effect said, “I forgive you! You are now free to live in Me.” The cell of our guilt was swung open with His death, and His resurrection that third morning. But there is a catch. We must have faith and believe that He died in our place, and accept the forgiveness He offers. Then we can begin to walk in newness of life. This is our choice. We can either accept the completed work of the cross and walk out of the cell, or we can sit there in front of an open door and stay in our guilt and shame.
There is a Biblical truth found in the prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi, that says, “It is in giving that we receive.”
As we offer forgiveness and freedom to our offenders, we ourselves are the ones that walk in freedom!
Praise God!!!
When we truly forgive, we walk away from the most taxing jobs we ever had. While we kept our fist tightly, clenched around that key of unforgiveness, we had set ourselves up in the role of attorney and guard!
As the Attorney,
we set to prove the “crime” of this individual(s) and will go on tirelessly to convince the “jury” of this person’s guilt. Rehearsing the offense, being sure that everyone has understood every detail of the wrongdoings. But we can’t stop there. We need a defense, and so we gain others who will side with us and witness on our behalf. After all, we do need a strong case against the accused.
Brief periods of recess occur, but once the accused name is brought up, court has resumed, and the vicious cycle continues.
As the Guard,
there are many sleepless nights. We replay everything that has happened. Over, and over, and over, and over, and… well you get the point. The guilty may or may not still be in our life. Yet we see them clearly in the picture of our mind. We hash and rehash what they did, and what we should have done differently. We can’t seem to let go. We say things like, “I forgive, but I will never forget.” I know for myself, when I have uttered those words, I still have a thorn of bitterness sunk deep into my soul. I may have started the process of forgiveness, but it is not a completed work.
We can sit in the guard’s chair, twirling that key around our finger, so preoccupied with a job that was never ours to start with, and miss the world around us. Or, we can grip that key one final time to open the lock and offer freedom to those who hurt us.
Full forgiveness.
With the door wide open, we can hand the key to Jesus. The only One who was ever authorized to hold it, and walk in the freedom we were always meant to be living in.
Friend, I want to encourage you, if you find yourself holding onto a key of bitterness and unforgiveness, let it go. I know how hard it can be, but I also know firsthand the reward that waits for you. Today confess with your mouth, that you forgive ________ for ________, and then pray for them. Pray for them to have all the things you want for yourself. It may take days, months, and maybe even years, but I promise you, it is worth the work of letting go.
Maybe you’re reading this, and you have never accepted the forgiveness that Jesus offers. There is no better time than now to accept the forgiveness Jesus has for you.
It is as easy as A, B, C
A – Admit that you are a sinner
B – Believe in your heart that Jesus is The Son of God, and that He died in your place on the cross
C – Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and call upon Him for salvation
Then shout it out! Tell someone, tell everyone!
I’m praying for you, continue in the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12)
