Forgiveness

Jesus' laying down of His life in the crucifixion, which believers will mark at the end of this week on Good Friday, is what makes possible forgiveness and new life. 

So I thought I would post some excerpts from an excellent article on forgiveness written by James Cain of In Touch Ministries, titled, The Field Guide to Forgiveness.

Here are the highlights from the article. (I have underlined his words in places, for emphasis). 

“In the end, forgiveness often changes the one forgiving more than the one being pardoned. This is true because forgiveness forces us to admit our powerlessness and trust God...."

"Pursuing vengeance makes us feel strong, empowered. Forgiving, on the other hand, acknowledges that we may not receive the 'justice' we thought we deserved."

"Change also happens because forgiveness creates space for restored fellowship. Giving up our claim against the offender moves us from weakness to strength, as we invite the peace of the Holy Spirit to restore our relationship with God and neighbor. Denying forgiveness, on the other hand, breaks fellowship not only with our adversary, but also with our Father (Mark 11:25)."

"When we forgive, we make renewed relationship possible, if not with the person we forgive, then with the Person who has forgiven us."

"The apostle Paul suggests that our duty to forgive others depends on recalling the pardon we received from God. ‘As the Lord forgave you,’ he writes, ‘you do also’ (Col. 3:13). Not only should we remember that God forgives us; we should also imitate how He does it: graciously, freely, and completely."

"We might be tempted to keep a ‘record of wrongs,’ but love precludes that (1 Col. 13:5). The unbelieving world tends to nurse grudges against whoever has wronged them, but as followers of Jesus, we forgive freely, without expecting anything in return.”

"...forgiveness requires gracious inward action before we can pursue gracious outward action...Much of this internal work can be done without the offender’s knowledge."

(We must) “actively and energetically oppose the natural inclination toward assaulting the other person, physically or verbally, or withdrawing from relationship with him. Either approach is a way of withholding forgiveness and will impede the healing process for both people."

"Avoid assaulting or withdrawing from others by looking for opportunities to celebrate your offender’s successes. Do not rejoice when he suffers, but grieve along with him. Prayerfully seek to ‘relieve’ the person, and seek the right moment for reconciliation. All this heart work will enable you, when the time comes, to offer authentic forgiveness."

“...the work of forgiveness begins with a prayer to remember God’s grace towards you. One of the Holy Spirit’s tasks is to ‘convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment’ (John 16:8). He alone can bring about the change of heart necessary to see your own sin, to recognize Christ’s righteousness, and to see that judgment belongs to God alone."

"Ask God to show you your sin and remind you of His grace...mindful of your own faults, ask for and extend forgiveness. Pray for the well-being of the wrongdoer—not just that he’d see the error of his ways, but that God would protect and prosper him."

"Offer mercy quickly, leave justice to God, and make sure you don’t allow resentment to find fertile soil.”  

By James Cain, from the article, The Field Guide to Forgiveness.

Read it in its entirety here:

https://thecounselingmoment.wordpress.com/2011/09/10/the-field-guide-to-forgiveness/

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us." Ephesians 1:7-8a

"And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." Matthew 6:12