Have We Forgiven?

Forgiveness is not a worldly thing. As a matter of fact, I don’t believe we can truly forgive without the help of the Holy Spirit. Why do I say that? Forgiveness isn’t part of our flesh (sinful nature). The world often uses forgiveness when there is a benefit. Maybe we don’t want to burn bridges or offend someone that may be helpful to us in the future. We tend to see people forgiving those that are of a higher standing. Much less often are those who forgive others of low community standing. Do we apologize to the child that we felt ran into our path (without knowing) or do we expect the child to apologize to us? Are we quicker to judge someone that doesn’t look like us? Do we ever not seek complete healing because we want to feel like we have something to hold over them. This could happen with a family member that we want to have an upper hand with. Maybe we go through the outward appearance of forgiving, but we somehow still continue to hang onto the anger or frustration. When we look at true forgiveness, it will bring healing to any relationship. We don’t really hear too much about forgiving others, especially in the Old Testament, because only God had the ability to forgive sin. Yet, there was the expectation of healing amongst one another. When Joseph’s brothers, who had sold him into slavery found that he had become the second most powerful person in the world, they feared him. Joseph forgave them, but when their father died, they pretended he had written a letter asking Joseph to forgive them. Joseph wept because they had not trusted his motive. On the other hand, Peter asks Jesus if he forgave someone 7 times, if that was enough. Jesus replies, “Not 7, but 70 times 7". In other words, our actions are not based on law or repetition but rather on the condition of the heart. If healing is needed, it should be offered. The world often offers forgiveness with motives (intentional or unintentional). The only motives with God are a desire to see us in a right relationship with our brothers and sisters, and that our lives might be right with God. Carrying sin can be exhausting and wear the body down. I can’t force someone else to act as God desires, but I must... I must act by faith according to the grace and mercy God has given me. Father, remove my pride and ego and replace it with the spiritual gifts that we all need to serve. Amen