Relationships: Forgiveness
Continuing his series on Relationships, Ron Simkins shares about forgiveness. May we receive more, extend more, and grow more in forgiveness. -Renée Antrosio, NCF Pastor
NO RELATIONSHIP GROWS WITHOUT FORGIVENESS
It is amazing how many people today find it annoying when a pastor or teacher brings up the fact that we sin against God and against one another. Of course, sinning means that we desperately need to be forgiven. It seems that many think these concepts are old-fashioned and primitive. Why do I find it amazing that we seem so resistant to this reality? Because receiving and giving forgiveness is essential for each and every one of our relationships to remain healthy and to continue growing. To fail to give and receive forgiveness is a guarantee that a relationship will not continue to grow as it should.
My wife Donna and I were at least average humans in terms of wanting to treat one another right and wishing to maintain a deepening relationship. In fact, Donna was far above average. Nevertheless, if we had not both been willing to offer, and to receive, forgiveness for our failures, our ignorance, our pride, and our stubbornness, our relationship would not have continued growing. Given how stubborn we both tended to be, our marriage probably would not have survived at all. The same is true in the relationship I share with my children. We share an amazing gift of loving and caring, but these relationships would never have grown as they have without the mutual giving and receiving of forgiveness. And, only God knows how often my friends have had to forgive me for my failures—those I recognize and those I do not.
So, why are we humans so resistant to acknowledging our need to receive and offer forgiveness in all of our relationships with one another and with God? Here are at least some of the reasons.
-THE BIBLICAL WORDS FOR “FORGIVING” REFLECT HIGH COST
-FORGIVING SOMEONE IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE IT DOESN’T SEEM JUST
-ACCEPTING FORGIVENESS CAN BE AS DIFFICULT AS OFFERING FORGIVENESS
-FORGIVENESS IS A MEANS TO A GOAL; NOT THE GOAL
-FORGIVENESS IS A GIFT THAT MUST BE RECEIVED
-CHEAP FORGIVENESS IS NOT REAL FORGIVENESS
-A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF BEING FORGIVEN THAT CHANGED MY LIFE (click here for Ron’s full version)
Conclusion: Let’s face the reality that we all sin and fall short of our potential in our relationships with God and with one another. Let’s celebrate God’s goal that our relationships with God and with one another continue deepening and growing. Let’s face squarely the truth that offering genuine forgiveness is costly heavy lifting, and that accepting forgiveness isn’t easy. And, let’s celebrate the gracious gift of forgiveness we are offered, by choosing to thankfully receive this amazing gift!