Actually I talk a great deal about forgiveness, from a variety of perspectives. This is undoubtedly due to the fact that I typically am in great need of forgiveness – daily. When you consider Webster’s definition:
“to stop feeling anger toward (someone who has done something wrong) :
to stop blaming (someone); to stop feeling anger about (something) : to
forgive someone for (something wrong); : to stop requiring payment of
(money that is owed)”
“To stop”, to forgive is the directive. Webster goes on to further refine: “to cease to feel resentment against (an offender); to give up resentment of or claim to requital “. This is the period. Stop and cease to feel negative are the mindsets and paradigm shifts – no grudges, no passive aggressive behavior. When you really think about it… to stop has no alternative. Stop means stop as does cease mean cease – stop.
When I learned that I couldn’t expect forgiveness unless I first forgave, this brought me up short. Quid pro quo? Yes and no. Scripture makes it very clear that we cannot expect forgiveness from the Father unless we first forgive.
“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against
anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive
you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your
Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25-26)
What I have always found ‘interesting’ is that these words by Jesus is spoken just after He has said – “Have faith in God.” (v 22) Then in v 23-24 is one of the most powerful descriptions and teaching about prayer and how we should approach prayer. The connection between what can happen when we have faith, when we pray is coupled with forgiveness by the power word – And.
Next we read what happens when ‘But’ occurs. When we don’t forgive others we handcuff ourselves and there is nothing the Father can do for us until we realize the price we are paying for our unforgiveness. Is it worth it? And since unforgiveness only affects us and has none on our target – what are we receiving? What is worth not forgiving? In my world – this is a condition I do not care to live in and with. If, when I forgive others a real or perceived harm, then I no longer carry the baggage and can move freely forward.
