Forgiveness (Matthew 18:21-22)

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The following excerpt from Richard Foster's book, "Prayer", continues to have a tremendous impact on my life. The message of one chapter devoted to forgiveness inspired within me a new understanding of that ideal. Read it carefully:

In the Ravensbruck Nazi concentration camp -- the camp where an estimated ninety-two thousand men, women, and children were murdered -- a piece of wrapping paper was found near the body of a dead child. On the paper was written this prayer: "O Lord, remember not only the men and women of good will, but also those of ill will. But do not only remember the suffering they have inflicted on us; remember the fruits we bought, thanks to this suffering: our comradeship, our loyalty, our humility, the courage, the generosity, the greatness of heart which has grown out of all this. And when they come to judgment, let all the fruits that we have borne be their forgiveness."

Reading that little paragraph causes me to sit in silence for a few moments. How great the heart and spirit of that author whose voice is now silenced by time, how deep the understanding of forgiveness. The writer's appreciation of the frailty of the human condition, despite desperate circumstances, amazes me.

Even the twelve who followed Jesus struggled with the idea of forgiveness. Listen in on Peter's conversation with Jesus: Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."

His meaning is very clear - forgive and keep on forgiving, then do it some more. How can we do that? To be honest, I'm not quite sure. But I know that not searching for a way to forgive is the worst possible scenario. Living in bitterness, anger, and spite leaves in its wake regret, depression, and unhappiness. I once heard that to live in unforgiveness is like bathing in acid.

I have known people whose lives were dominated by the unfortunate, sometimes devious, actions of others. The offense may have occurred years or even decades ago. To forgive and move on would bring such freedom and release, but they refuse to let go. It's as if the offended one feels he can retaliate against the offender by remaining bitter and enraged, when, in truth, the offended is only harming himself. Someone injured them, and now they continue to injure themselves as a result of another's actions. They are the most unhappy people I know. Jesus knew the abundant life could not be achieved by those unwilling to forgive.

I experienced hurt a few years ago that put me in the company of the offended. My world was violated by another's actions and I really had trouble forgiving. People were killed... and I somehow convinced myself that I had the right to be angry and bitter. Then it began to eat away at my life. I was bathing in acid and didn't realize it. My happiness went south and I was out of touch with the joy of my salvation. I was miserable.

So I began praying and asking God for help. Slowly God helped me see the offender through His eyes. He allowed me to see possible situations in the offender's life that may have led to huge mistakes, further leading to terrible consequences - ultimately his death and the death of others. The enemy, Satan, gained a foothold in his life and destroyed him. Now the destruction was trying to branch into my life. Would I break the chain or be destroyed too? Through forgiving the offender, I began to heal. I will always live with the consequences of his sin, but my life and my actions will not be controlled by his mistakes. There is judgment and punishment for sin, but their meting out belongs to God, not me.

Paul, the apostle, took forgiveness one step further: "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." The last part stings a little. I must remember that I needed forgiveness as well. Nothing I could do would earn the forgiveness of God. Yet He saw my condition and in Christ "removes my sin as far as the east is from the west." Thank you, Lord.

If you are bathing in the acid of the unwillingness to forgive, move on. Take steps toward forgiving the offending party - even if they won't acknowledge their offense. Life is far too short to live in bitterness and defeat. The abundant life is waiting for those who choose to live God's way and the ability to forgive seems to be an essential ingredient in the recipe. The Ravensbruck prayer's author will forever serve as a model of forgiveness for me. If that soul can forgive and ask God's forgiveness for those who tortured and killed ninety-two thousand men, women, and children, then surely I can find room in my heart to forgive offenses that come my way.

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