Most of us like to think of ourselves as being forgiving. We imagine we’re able to let the past slip into faded memory and that the wounds we both gave and received have long ago been packed up and put aside. After all, we know that forgiveness is a two-sided street and that both people in almost any circumstance have some responsibility toward resolution. If we can truly forgive like God does, then we recognize how flawed we are as humans, and that no one gets it right all the time. We see that even though we’re flawed, we are teachable, and we are capable of doing better next time.
So, that being said, why does the issue of forgiveness challenge our souls? Few of us are perfect forgivers. After all, we can easily dredge up the story of the third-grade bully who made us feel defenseless. We can recall the time our spouse forgot a significant date on the calendar and though we claim to have forgotten it, the offense lingers in the silence.
Okay, so we recognize the problem. We have tried to forgive those who’ve hurt us. We’ve tried and failed. The Lord’s Prayer offers us a possibility. It says in part, “Forgive our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Personally, I find this one a wee bit tricky. I find myself continually wondering if I have truly forgiven others so that God can forgive me. I can shrug off old offenses. I can rationalize them, find excuses for them, see the other person’s side, and even do all I can to make up for the offense, but the fact is, I cannot be free of it unless I know that God forgives me. Apparently, there’s a condition set here. God will forgive me as long as I forgive first. Why is it important to forgive?
Forgiveness is the only power that removes the weight of sin, the only way that any of us can rise again. D.L.Moody said, “God has cast our confessed sins into the depths of the sea, and He’s even put a “No Fishing” sign over the spot.” With forgiveness comes the ability to rise and walk again. It is certain that each of us has reason to be grateful for our God of love and mercy who forgives us more than we deserve and continues to guide us every day of our lives.
“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Maybe we could forgive seventy times seven times. Let’s try it.