Forgiveness Is For You
If you clicked on this blog, I’m sure it’s because either you feel like you need to receive forgiveness or that you need to give it. You came to the right place! Let’s talk about why someone would need to be forgiven. If you, or someone else, needs to be forgiven, it usually involves something wrong that has been done, either intentionally or unintentionally. Along with whatever occurred, the person who feels like they need forgiveness experiences feelings of guilt, regret, and shame. I don’t know your situation, but I know that whether you have done something to someone, or not, every person is in need of forgiveness. We have all sinned and fallen short in some way. This is part of living in this fallen world and due to our sinful flesh (Romans 3:23). However, God knew this and chose to send His son, Jesus, to die for our sins so that each person can receive forgiveness through Him!
Forgiveness through Jesus is available, no matter what you have done or what others have done to you.
Second Corinthians 5:21 explains how, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Sounds too good to be true, right? You may be thinking “I have done too much, I’m not worthy to be forgiven.” That is not the case at all! God knew all the things you would do and sent His son for those exact reasons that you think disqualify you! Jesus lived the perfect life that no one could, and died a sinner's death on a cross, taking on our sins and dying in our place. As a result, we get to come to God the Father being completely known and forgiven and unconditionally loved! First John 1:9 states how, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Therefore, you don’t have to feel worthy! Jesus is the only One who is worthy, faithful and just! Jesus says you are worthy through His redemptive work on the cross. Therefore, you can go and approach Him with anything!
Forgiveness is received from God first. Knowing that should remind us to forgive ourselves, and others, every day.
Don’t let unforgiveness steal your gratitude!
On the other hand, you may think too many bad things have been done, or said, that block you from forgiving others. Second Corinthians 2:10-11 explains how you should forgive so that you will “not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.” Unforgiveness is a tactic of the devil, and usually the main root of why people believe they can’t come to God. It prevents people from experiencing God and the freedom that comes through His unconditional love. You may put a guard up, with unforgiveness as the root of it, and think it will keep you from getting hurt. However, it would be good to realize, sooner than later, that unforgiveness hurts you more than the other person. You are the one who feels bitter and mistrusting towards others. You are the one who sits in the hurt of what occurred, as you are just waiting for an apology. But you don’t need an apology to be able to forgive. Johnathon Huie, a philosopher, puts it this way:
“forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace.”
See, people think God calls us to forgive others because He is ignorant and not aware of the pain and evil that we experience from others in this life. However, it is quite the opposite! Jesus experienced all of the suffering, pain, betrayal, and temptation of this world. He was well aware of all of it as He, an innocent man, was tortured, persecuted, and put to death. But in the midst of it all, Jesus spoke from the cross saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). This verse shows how Jesus is not just the wonderful Savior, but He is a wounded Savior too. He just didn’t let that stop Him from showing love to others. He wants others to find peace, His peace that forgiveness helps bring. Jesus shows us that even though we aren’t worthy to be forgiven, we are through His action! Colossians 1:13-14 says, “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemptions, the forgiveness of sins.” Jesus wants us to forgive others in the same way we have been forgiven! Therefore, we have been given a choice to forgive ourselves, and others, as God has so graciously done with us. Who are we to put ourselves above the One True God who forgives us?! In Colossians 3:12-13 it is explained this way, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones..compassionate hearts…bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” This is one of the commands by the Lord. You must forgive because the Lord has forgiven you, and if you don’t forgive, “neither will your Father forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15). Jesus understands that what He asks is not easy. Yet, just as much as you need forgiveness other people need it too. In addition, choosing to forgive someone first may lead them to understand that they ultimately need forgiveness from God! It is important to do your part and forgive. If you let unforgiveness take root, you will just identify with the hurt caused, as well as be stuck in the regret and guilt that comes with it all. Allow God to do His redemptive work in you. You will then realize the fact that He calls you, and the people around you, to peace, love and forgiveness!
