Jesus said we were to forgive. He went as far as saying if we did not forgive, 
we would not be forgiven. Sounds to me like he was making a serious point of the subject. Yet forgiveness is often misunderstood, leaving people feeling like they shouldn’t do it, can’t do it, or haven’t done it. This tangled web is exactly what satan loves to do in believers lives. If he can get them confused, and they will put off doing what is right, live in shame over how they think they “should” be doing it, or entirely walk away from the subject!
Today’s Truth: Luke 6:37b
“Forgive and you will be forgiven.”
Forgive in the Greek language is the word aphiemi, which can be translated as follows: lay aside, forsake, leave, let go, let alone, omit, yield up, put away.
The confusion over forgiveness comes in two ways.
1. We think that we have to receive an apology to forgive. I don’t see this is Scripture, do you?
2. We think we haven’t forgiven if we still “remember” the offense. I don’t see Scripture say to forget, but to forgive which is to lay the offense aside.
Think how difficult it would be if forgiving required totally forgetting. I don’t think that could happen without a frontal lobotomy!
Practically speaking…just because we abstain from chocolate or our favorite food for a season, doesn’t mean we forget what it tastes like. The way it taste is in our memory, even though we are not currently digesting the food. In the same way, an offense will most likely be in our memory, but when we have forgiven or laid something aside,we are just not digesting, internalizing or holding tight to the hurt anymore. In other words, though we remember we were offended, we are no longer currently living in the offense. We have laid it aside, and given it up, because Jesus said this was the way to live.
Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend said,
“In fact our recovery and well being is intimately tied to our forgiveness of others. It does not good to receive grace with one hand, and deal out judgement with the other. We need to forgive not just with our will but from the “heart,” from our whole being. Forgiveness is a deeply emotional process whereby we deal with all our feelings. We must be honest about our hurt and anger and not close our hearts and become callous.” ( from the book, 12 Christian Beliefs that can drive you crazy)
Think about this today:
- Who is hanging around in my mind because I haven’t let them go and turned the offense I experienced over to God?
- What, if anything, have I believed about forgiveness that might be skewed or might be keeping me at arm’s length from true spiritual/emotional/mental freedom?
- Do, I think that if Jesus said it, it is important?
- If important, what must I do about it?
It takes courage to follow Jesus and forgiveness is an example of courage.
It takes courage to offer an apology and Jesus asks us to set things straight on our end.
It takes courage to let go and trust God.
Will you join me and seeking to be a courageous Christian woman, whose faith is not based on emotional feelings, but whose faith is based on what Jesus taught, how Jesus lived, and on the blood that Jesus shed?
Today’s Prayer
Lord, search my heart. Am I holding on to anything or anyone that I need to let go of today? I desire truth in the inner parts of me. I want to be obedient and want to walk a live of forgiveness. Now, show me the practical steps in my own life and situations.
the two points that convicted me were: “Forgive and you will be forgiven.” & The confusion over forgiveness comes in two ways.
1. We think that we have to receive an apology to forgive. I don’t see this is Scripture, do you?
2. We think we haven’t forgiven if we still “remember” the offense. I don’t see Scripture say to forget, but to forgive which is to lay the offense aside.
I often still remember the offense and try to forgive but work on the forgiving part then still remember and think I’m still holding on to this since I still remember. I like the story of the chocolate, it’s in our memory we are not just digesting it, thanks you for breaking this down for me and the other women as well….
Continuing to enjoy your blog Debbie. Thanks for your leadership, friendship, love and direction in my daily walk with Jesus.
I was sent your blog by a sweet friend of mine. I can’t tell you how much I needed to read the posts on Forgiveness! Thank you for posting. What a blessing.
This is good stuff. I just started exploring this site today and will definitely return! Thanks for the time you spend putting it together!
“Forgive in the Greek language is the word aphiemi, which can be translated as follows: lay aside, forsake, leave, let go, let alone, omit, yield up, put away.” Yes, and what a relief it is!
Forgiveness is such a core need in our emotional and spiritual lives. Thanks, Debbie, for this post that helps sort out some misunderstanding about letting go of anger about our hurts.
We also think, sometimes, that forgiveness means condoning or excusing. As you’ve said, there is much spiritual battle about this command.
Blessings on your ministry.
Karen Rabbitt, author of:
Trading Fathers: Forgiving Dad, Embracing God