Confidence and Forgiveness

In a world rife with conflict, the concept of forgiveness often seems elusive. We're surrounded by stories of hurt, betrayal, and injustice that make the idea of forgiving seem not just difficult, but sometimes impossible. Yet, at the core of our faith lies a profound truth: forgiveness is not just a suggestion, but a commandment that reflects the very nature of God's love for us.

Consider the story of Amber Guyger, an off-duty police officer who mistakenly entered the wrong apartment and fatally shot Botham Jean, an unarmed African-American man. In a courtroom scene that stunned the nation, Botham's brother, Brant, addressed Amber with words of forgiveness: "If you are truly sorry, I know I can speak for myself, I forgive you." He even asked to hug her, moving everyone present to tears.

This act of forgiveness wasn't met with universal praise. Many, including Christians, found it difficult to comprehend such grace in the face of such tragedy. But Brant's ability to forgive didn't stem from his own goodness—it came from a deeper well: the forgiveness of sins through Christ.

This brings us to a challenging truth: it is the forgiveness of sins through Christ that empowers us to forgive others. Our human nature rebels against this idea. We want justice, retribution, or at the very least, to hold onto our hurt. But Jesus calls us to a higher standard.

In Matthew 18:15-35, we find a blueprint for dealing with conflict and forgiveness within the church community. Jesus outlines a process that begins with private confrontation and, if necessary, escalates to involving witnesses and eventually the entire church. The goal isn't punishment, but restoration. Even in cases where excommunication becomes necessary, the ultimate aim is to bring the person to repentance and back into fellowship.

But how many times should we forgive? Peter, voicing the question in many of our hearts, asked Jesus if seven times was enough. Jesus' response is staggering: "Not seven times, but seventy-seven times" (or in some translations, "seventy times seven"). The point isn't to keep a tally but to understand that forgiveness should be boundless.

To drive this point home, Jesus tells a parable about a servant who owed his king an astronomical debt—equivalent to billions in today's currency. When the servant begged for mercy, the king, moved with compassion, forgave the entire debt. Yet, when that same servant encountered a fellow servant who owed him a comparatively tiny sum, he showed no mercy, demanding immediate payment and throwing the man in prison.

This parable illustrates a profound truth: the forgiveness we've received from God far outweighs any debt others might owe us. The king's forgiveness of the servant's massive debt represents God's forgiveness of our sins—a debt we could never hope to repay on our own.

Here's where the rubber meets the road: if we truly understand the magnitude of God's forgiveness toward us, how can we withhold forgiveness from others? The servant's failure to extend mercy after receiving such incredible grace resulted in severe consequences. Similarly, Jesus warns that if we don't forgive others from our hearts, we place ourselves outside the realm of God's forgiveness.

This teaching challenges us on multiple levels. For some, the struggle to forgive stems from deep, legitimate pain—abuse, betrayal, or injustice that seems unforgivable. Others might withhold forgiveness as a form of power or control, or out of a sense of self-righteousness. But Jesus' words cut through all our justifications, calling us to a radical, grace-filled way of living.

It's crucial to understand that forgiveness doesn't mean minimizing the wrong done to us. The debt in Jesus' parable was real, just as the hurts we've experienced are real. Forgiveness isn't about pretending the offense never happened or that it doesn't matter. Instead, it's about releasing our right to revenge or retribution, and entrusting justice to God.

Moreover, forgiveness isn't always a one-time event but often a process. It may require ongoing choices to forgive, especially when memories or consequences of the offense persist. But each time we choose forgiveness, we align ourselves more closely with the heart of God.

The power to forgive in this way doesn't come from within ourselves. It's not about mustering up enough willpower or finding inner peace. True, transformative forgiveness flows from the forgiveness we've received in Christ. It's only when we grasp the depth of God's mercy toward us—forgiving a debt we could never repay—that we find the strength to extend that same mercy to others.

Consider the testimony of Pierre, who, despite being abandoned by his father, found the capacity to love and forgive him. When asked how this was possible, his answer was simple yet profound: "Jesus Christ." It was the forgiveness of sins that saved him and enabled him to forgive his father.

This brings us back to the cross—the ultimate demonstration of forgiveness. Jesus, the innocent King, took upon Himself the debt of our sin. He paid the price we could never pay, offering forgiveness even to those who crucified Him. His resurrection proves that forgiveness has the power to bring new life, to restore what was broken.

As we grapple with the call to forgive, let's remember that we're not alone in this journey. The same Christ who commands us to forgive also empowers us to do so. He understands our struggles, our pain, and our resistance. Yet He invites us into a life marked by the freedom that comes from both receiving and extending forgiveness.

In a world that often glorifies revenge and holding grudges, choosing forgiveness is a radical act. It's a declaration that we trust in a God who is just and loving, who can heal our deepest wounds and work all things for good. As we learn to forgive as we've been forgiven, we become living testimonies to the transformative power of God's grace.

Let us, therefore, approach the throne of grace with confidence, seeking the strength to forgive even when it seems impossible. For in doing so, we not only free others but find ourselves liberated, stepping into the fullness of life that Christ promises to all who follow Him.