The Freedom of Forgiveness

“I forgive you.” It is often difficult to say these three words. There are times when it is more tempting to seek revenge instead. Our human nature causes us to want our enemies to suffer the same pain that they inflicted upon us. Jesus, however, commands us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44) and to forgive those who have wronged us no matter how great the offense and how difficult it may be. The apostle Paul’s exhortation offers us the praxis of Jesus’ teaching. Paul recalls the sage advice of Solomon (Proverbs 25:21, 22) when he admonishes his listeners to feed their enemies if they are hungry and to give them something to drink if they are thirsty (Romans 12:20).

As we look back over the tragic events of September 11, 2001, we pause to reflect lovingly on the memories of those whose lives were cut short prematurely. Sometimes the flood of such thoughts is accompanied by unresolved feelings of anger and revenge. No apologies are forthcoming, and no one begs our forgiveness for inflicting these atrocities. Yet, even as we continue to grieve, we heal, be it ever so slowly.

The Scriptures say we can find freedom in forgiveness. When we do not forgive, we continue to remain bound by a heavy emotional load of hatred. Over time, this load gets heavier as our anger begins to fester and bitterness begins to breed. Jesus does not want us to live a life of defeat and bitterness; he wants us to walk triumphantly in victory. Jesus, who himself was no stranger to undeserved mistreatment, says that if someone “mistreats you seven times in one day and says, ‘I am sorry,’ you should still forgive that person” (Luke 17:4, CEV). And when Peter approached Jesus and asked if forgiving someone seven times was enough, Jesus responded, “Not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!” (Matthew 18:21, 22, CEV).

This week’s gospel text (the parable depicting the merciful king) illustrates Jesus’ teaching on what the kingdom of heaven is like. We are to forgive others for the wrongs they do to us just as our Father in heaven forgives us (Matthew 6:14).

The text from Genesis 50 teaches this to us most pointedly. In forgiving his brothers who had literally sold him into bondage years earlier, Joseph was able to live out the rest of his days in Egypt in a restored relationship with his brothers and their families.

Like Joseph, we must take an introspective look at ourselves, making sure that we stand in right relationship with God and with those who have wronged us. We must seek to eradicate any grudges, no matter how small, that linger within our hearts.

Forgiveness will free us from the bondage of past hurts, past wrongs, past disappointments. Forgiveness opens the door to freedom – both for the one who was wronged and the one who committed the offense. Since we are called to live in trust and hope as people of God, let us not allow evil to defeat us, but let us “defeat evil with good” (Romans 12:21, CEV).

This week’s Reflection was prepared by Sheiresa McRae, a freelance writer and contributor to the Bible Resource Center website.

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This week we remember to pray for the work of the Bible Societies in: Asia – with thanks for the blessings that have enabled the distribution of the Jesus film, Braille Bibles, and Scriptures on CD-ROM, and with prayers that these Scriptures will meet the Scripture needs of the Chinese people; East Timor – with prayers for the churches in East Timor as they contribute to the building of this newly independent nation, and with prayers for the proposed publication of the Gospels in local languages so that God’s Word will be available to the people; and with prayers for the Asia-Pacific Regional Service Center and for the staff in the central office in Brisbane and in offices in Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan and their work in providing translation consultancy, business development, and coordination of program support services for national Bible Societies and coordination for the provision of Scriptures in countries where there is no formal Bible work.

Activity Corner: “In Praise of God’s Kindness”

Supplies needed: Bible; writing paper; pens and/or pencils.

Psalm 103 is a hymn of praise that expresses thanks to God for all God’s benefits. Verses 3 and 12 tell of God’s forgiveness. Read this psalm together and invite members of your household to list all the ways God’s kindness is expressed in this psalm. Encourage everyone to rewrite the psalm in their own words, based on their lists. Invite everyone to share their psalms during family devotional time. Encourage everyone to discuss Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness and to share their thoughts about ways to resolve feelings of revenge.