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February 27, 2004
Forgiveness
Filed under: Hot Topic
The dictionary defines forgiveness as:
The act of forgiving; the state of being forgiven; as, the forgiveness of sin or of injuries;
Disposition to pardon; willingness to forgive;
Compassionate feelings that support a willingness to forgive;
The act of excusing a mistake or offense.
In reference to the "Lord's Prayer," Wayne Grudem states "This daily prayer for forgiveness of sins is not a prayer that God would give us justification again and again throughout our lives... Rather, the prayer for forgiveness of sins each day is a prayer that God's fatherly relationship with us, which has been disrupted by sin that displeased him, be restored..."
Throughout his book, "Systematic Theology," (when referring to forgiveness) Grudem makes it a point to differentiate between forgiveness from God the judge and God the father. God the judge has already forgiven us on the day
we accept the atonement of Jesus. God the father needs daily communication to clear up the daily sin that we cause to get in the way. In other words, forgiveness beckons a better relationship, not a lesser punishment.
I think this is the dividing line where many religions go the other way. In Buddhism, the path of enlightenment is all about getting better karma or better returns in the next life - same with Hinduism and even Islam (show me the virgins). The point is not to better a relationship, but to make the deserving "bad" become deservingly better.
Chander Kanta Sethi, a former Hindu, tells her story of forgiveness...
"It seems like yesterday I woke up to find my husband slumped over the dining room table. I tried to wake him but his hand was cold. As I read the letter on the table, I couldn't believe it. Though he said he loved me, my husband had committed suicide by a drug overdose. He had a successful medical practice. We had a good marriage; we shared everything. I was in shock for the next year.
As a Hindu, my life ended with my husband's death. The Hindu faith says this tragedy happened because of things I did or didn't do in my previous lives. I was only reaping what I had sown. As I slipped into depression, my three teenage daughters encouraged me to attend the church where they had gone to Sunday school as children. I went, somewhat unwillingly. I was surprised at how loving everyone was towards me. They prayed for me and seemed to really care. At Hindu gatherings, I didn't feel the same love and acceptance.
So I kept going back to church even though I was suspicious of Christians. I didn't think I deserved their love. Gradually, through talking with Christians and reading the Bible, I understood there was nothing I could do to gain God's favor. His love for me doesn't depend on what have or haven't done. That's why Jesus died -- to forgive me. He is the only way to God.
Because of that gift of forgiveness, I've been able to forgive my husband and myself for his suicide. Only God can give the peace, love and joy I've experienced since then."
Hebrews 9:22
"In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
Psalm 103:11-12
"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." The Message version says "And as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins."
But is forgiveness separation from sin? I'm not so certain. While I do believe God's forgiveness is the acknowledgement and acceptance of Jesus' sacrifice to replace our sins with God's grace, I don't think the sins are forgotten. Perhaps overlooked, but not forgotten.
I am reminded of the scene in "The Passion of the Christ" about the woman caught in adultery. Remembering back to what Jesus said in Jonn 8:11 "Then neither do I condemn you... Go now and leave your life of sin." Jesus' "forgiveness" did not condone (leave your life of sin), but it did overwhelmingly flood her life with grace. She was given a clean slate! I
wonder how the rest of her life turned out? If she really was the character that Mel Gibson interpreted her to be, what an example of the impact forgiveness can have.
Forgiveness is truly the only way to heaven. We must accept the sacrifice for our sins and be forgiven in order to live eternally with God. And what a refreshing perspective as compared to other religions. The burden rests on God to forgive us, not us to get better or improve. How can people live their life not knowing their eternal destination and wondering if they have done enough. It is not what we have done, but what God has done.
And a few random quotes on forgiveness between people...
"Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." - Oscar Wilde
"Anger makes you smaller, while forgiveness forces you to grow beyond what you were." - Cherie Carter-Scott
"Forgiveness is almost a selfish act because of its immense benefits to the one who forgives." - Lawana Blackwell
"Pray you now, forget and forgive." - William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616), "King Lear", Act 4 scene
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