There are two things that we must do in order not to develop a root of bitterness that will strangle our spiritual life. The first is to not fall into the trap of taking offense. The second comes into play when we do not do the first … we must grant forgiveness to the one that offended.
Forgiveness, like humility, does not come naturally. Forgiveness is not our first thought when we have been offended. But forgiveness is God’s first thought. It comes from the Spirit of Truth that takes up residence within us when we come to Christ Jesus as Savior and LORD. We receive God’s forgiveness (while we are still His enemies) and He now expects us to grant forgiveness to others in like manner.
We make two mistakes about forgiveness. The first is to think that forgiving someone is to benefit them. It may benefit them, but God requires us to forgive for our soul’s sake, not that of another. Forgiveness releases us from being chained to that person in anger forever.
The second mistake we make is to think that forgiveness is always a one-time event. We forgive, matter settled. All our feelings and thoughts about the offense will simply cease to exist once we forgive. That would be nice, and it may happen that way on occasion, but for most of us it is a far different experience. For most of us, the enemy of our soul continually tries to drag us back to and resurrect all the emotions of that offense. I think we must change our perspective of forgiveness and understand that forgiveness is not usually a once and done.
Perhaps most importantly, we need to be “willing” to forgive even if we do not think we are “able” to forgive. If we are willing, God will empower and enable us to forgive.
We must see God’s forgiveness of our offenses (through the eyes of the Spirit of Truth) and then we can become willing to forgive in like manner those who have offended us. I know deep in my heart, that I have offended God with my rebellion and arrogance far greater than anyone has ever offended me.
If Jesus can forgive me, I can be willing to forgive others.
