The Power of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is an important issue with immense relevance to our relationships, it impacts on our relationship with God and our relationships with other people. I have also come to understand that it is one of the most difficult topics for many people to understand, not in terms of a lack of understanding of the definition of the word but in terms of fully grasping and embracing the depths of its significance.

Some ancient cultures did not even have a word for forgiveness because it was foreign to them. Their cultural considerations did not conceive that such a thing like forgiveness could occur. Even till now, the human mind recognizes that forgiveness is not a natural human action, hence the saying ‘to err is human, to forgive is divine’. Forgiveness is even sometimes considered a sign of weakness while retribution and revenge are normal in human life and thinking.

I remember growing up in South West Nigeria in the 80s and the most popular movies among the younger generation were “Chinese movies”. We loved the movies for the choreographed fighting movements but I realized that the basic story line of most of those movies was about a hero or heroine exacting revenge on the villain who had probably perpetrated some evil acts earlier on in the story. It was more or less an exaltation of unforgiveness.

However, the Scriptures reveal that God is a God of forgiveness.

“But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared.”

Psalm 130:4 KJV

“To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against Him”

Daniel 9:9 KJV

The words used for forgiveness majorly in the Bible mean to pardon someone; to send away someone’s guilt; to release someone from the punishment for wrong doing. However, there are some other descriptions of the concept of forgiveness in the Bible as we find in the following passages:

“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12 KJV

“…for Thou hast cast all my sins behind Thy back.”

Isaiah 38:17 KJV

“Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger for ever, because He delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”

Micah 7:18, 19 KJV

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…”

Acts 3:19 KJV

Authors John Nieder and Thomas Thompson in their book “Forgive and Love Again” point out that there are at least 75 of such word pictures of forgiveness in the Bible. Here are a few more of them:

·         ‘To forgive is to write in large letters across a debt, “Nothing owed.”’

·         ‘To forgive is to shoot an arrow so high and so far that it can never be found again.’

·         ‘To forgive is to turn the key, open the cell door and let the prisoner walk free.’

·         ‘To forgive is to relax a stranglehold on a wrestling opponent.’

·         ‘To forgive is to smash a clay pot into a thousand pieces so it can never be put together again.’

All these descriptions capture in some facet or the other the magnificence of God’s gracious act of forgiveness extended toward you and I. Through the sacrificial work of Christ Jesus, we enjoy this wonderful release.

“In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins”

Colossians 1:14 KJV

None of us could in any way ever earn God’s forgiveness. No personal penance, no matter how grave could ever be enough. No self-determined or self-directed restitutionary action would ever be enough to impress God so much that He would then decide to forgive us. God’s forgiveness is predicated on Christ’s work of redemption.

“In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace”

Ephesians 1:7 KJV 

God’s forgiveness is not about how you may or may not feel. Some of us assume that there will be a special emotion that accompanies God’s forgiveness. Forgiveness is a spiritual reality that must be accepted by faith. 

This week, I encourage to meditate and fix your thoughts on the magnitude of God’s forgiveness extended to us in accordance with the riches of His grace through the redemption in the blood of Jesus. I pray that as the reality of this truth dawns upon you, you will experience its life transforming power. Amen.

My song for the week is "That's How You Forgive" by Shane and Shane.

That's How You Forgive 

To be continued...