FORGIVENESS – THE CHRISTIAN WAY OF LIFE

Forgiveness is a very important principle on which, our LORD wants to build our lives as Christians, and His disciples. Forgiveness is indispensable for a Christian, if we claim to be the disciples of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and thereby the child of God.

Jesus, teaching the fundamental principles, values and ethics of the Kingdom of God, has these words on forgiveness – “14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” – Matthew 6:14-15

Jesus further expounds the teaching on forgiveness in Matthew chapter 7, from another significant dimension – “1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” – Matthew 7:1

One of the critical reasons for not forgiving someone is, self-righteous and our proud way of seeing things. This is very clear from the above teachings of our LORD. The other person may have a mere speck in their eye, while I have a whole log in my eye. Can it be made any more clearer than this?

Even our prayers will be hindered, if we hold on to grudges, and do not forgive those who have hurt and harmed us. “25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

The principle of Christian forgiveness, is based upon how God dealt us you and me, and how the LORD chose to forgive us of our sins, without we ever realising the need for forgiveness, nor asking for it. In fact, forgiveness is one of the central pillars of the character of a Christian – “12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” – Colossians 3:12-13

We as the children of God, are expected to forgive, even our enemies, who are out to get us. In fact, to forgive someone of their wrong, is something a Christian is called to do, even when there is no hint of any apology from the other person. There may not be any change or remorse in their attitude or behaviour. Even such a situation, must not stop us, from forgiving the other person. 

Forgiveness and reconciliation are two different things. Forgiving a person may or not may not lead to reconciliation, and the subsequent restoration of the relationship. It is very clear from the Scriptures that forgiveness is entirely our responsibility. However, reconciliation and restoration requires two honest people, willing not only to forgive each other unconditionally, but also willing to walk together, despite any differences, with a desire to reconcile and restore the broken relationship.

Forgiveness, in fact, is more a reflection of the Christian, his faith, and his obedience to the LORD, than anything to do with those, who have wronged him. We are called to forgive, and so we forgive, wholeheartedly, as early as possible, and sincerely.