As We Forgive

We humans are strange creatures. We hang on to things that harm us. We grasp tenaciously to bad habits and sin. Harmful relationships seem to stick to us. But probably nothing is tougher to let go of than guilt and unforgiveness. We are sickly fond of these. Like most harmful things they have their root in pride.

With guilt we are so proud as to believe that our sins are too great to be forgiven. We think, but don’t articulate, that Jesus didn’t do enough to cover those awful acts that only we are wonderful enough to perpetrate.

Pride’s at the root of unforgiveness, too. How dare anyone trespass on the rights of one as important as us. Saying they are sorry just doesn’t cut it. We are so proud that we don’t even forgive ourselves. We sometimes even think we hold God in unforgiveness. How could He have allowed what He has allowed in our lives?

I have long struggled with the connection Jesus sets up in the Lord’s Prayer between being forgiven and forgiving others. I have finally come to this conclusion. Accepting forgiveness for our own shortcomings (call them sin even though it’s out of style) does us no good if we don’t also forgive others. We can’t move on relieved of guilt if the bitterness of unforgiveness still has a grip on us.

Holding onto guilt is silly especially in the usual case when the effect of our sin has long passed. But unforgiveness is even more ridiculous. The one we hold in unforgiveness usually is ignorant of our bitterness. His life is unaffected as we lay paralyzed in our pride soaked pain.

God is not just our creator. He’s our Father. We are brothers. We need to take Him seriously and take our relationship with each other seriously as well. We need to do what He says. But we need to recognize none of us does it perfectly. When we drift from the path we need to say, “Sorry” and get back on track. Then we need to get over ourselves and forgive others who in their trips from the path have trespassed on us.

Getting over ourselves. So easier said than done. Do it and be blessed.

Nick