The Powerful Gift of Forgiveness

Suggested Readings: Matthew 6:9-15, Matthew 18:21-35, Colossians 3:12-14

Forgiveness is powerful for so many reasons. It has the power to free us from the sin that so easily entangles us. It has the power to free us from what seems like power others have over us. It has the power to free us from the shame that could ultimately lead us away from God, and most importantly it has the eternal power to connect us intimately back to the heart of God.

Forgiveness, or rather not forgiving, also has the power to keep us from being forgiven by God. In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus tells us that if we forgive others, we will be forgiven. But if we do not forgive others, then we are not forgiven by our Heavenly Father (paraphrase).

Why would God withhold forgiveness? Wasn't it God Himself who sent His Son Jesus--the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world--to set us free from the result of sin, which is death? So why would Jesus say that forgiveness is contingent on whether or not we forgive?

Let's look at the parable Jesus teaches in Matthew 18 (verses 21-35, paraphrased by me):

The servant to the king has a great amount of debt. The servant pleas with the king to give him more time to repay the debt. The king doesn't give more time as the servant requests; the king, instead, takes pity on the servant and amazingly, the king completely wipes away the debt.

The servant leaves in total freedom. He then finds one of his own servants, who, by happenstance, owes him a debt (much smaller than the amount he had owed the king), and demands it to be repaid. This servant like his master also pleas for more time, and what does the servant of the king do? He throws his servant in prison. He doesn't cancel the debt. He doesn't give his servant more time. He doesn't even take pity on his servant. The servant of the king does nothing to show the evidence of what was so graciously given to him just moments before.

The king hears of this incident and becomes outraged. The king, then, has his servant--the very same servant who the king had freed from debt--thrown into jail to be tortured until the servant can pay back all he owes. Why? Because the servant of the king did not use the power of forgiveness he was given to set another person free; instead, he misused the power by withholding the gift. And if the King, the LORD of the universe, can forgive us our sins, who are we to withhold forgiveness? Are we, by not forgiving, saying we are mightier than the King of kings? Are we, then, being god? by determining who gets forgiven and who doesn't?

This is why it is so crucial to heed the warning Jesus gives us in Matthew 6:15, "But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

Forgiveness is a gift given to us through the cost of Jesus' death on the cross, and it becomes a gift of power through Jesus' resurrection. This gift has the eternal power to set us free. This gift also has the eternal power to set others free. It doesn't dismiss the wrongdoing. It doesn't necessarily heal the hurt. It doesn't forget the failure. It doesn't bring back the loss. It doesn't even provide justice nor does it take away the anger or grief.

What forgiveness does--is it maintains the perspective that this is a powerful gift which comes from God, not us. Therefore, it's not ours to withhold from anybody. Giving the gift of forgiveness to others shows we are not God. It shows we trust Him with our hurt, with our loss, with our brokenness, with our failure, with the wrongdoing that was done, and with our future. It shows we want to maintain our freedom.

Forgiveness is not always easy and it's sometimes a process. Prayer is key to unlocking the gift of forgiveness. When asked how to pray, Jesus included, "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." We are reminded to pray for forgiveness and we are reminded to be the ones passing on the gift of forgiveness to others.

When forgiveness seems impossible and even painful to do, pray for God's help. Relinquish control and let God keep the power of forgiveness in His hands as you work with Him to pass it on to those who have wronged you. "Forgive as the Lord forgave you" (Colossians 3:13 NIV).

Oh Lord, my King. You are holy and wise and good. Thank you for sending your Son Jesus to take away my sins so that I may be set free from the punishment of death. Lord, I look to you for help to be like you by forgiving others who have wronged me, especially those who have caused me great pain. I don't want to withhold this free gift you died to give us all. I am letting go and holding onto you. Heal my heart. I praise your most holy name, Jesus. Amen.