Choosing Forgiveness Sýnishorn

Forgiveness flows through you to others.

We are called to forgive others just as we also have been forgiven. This is how the Kingdom of God operates, as described in the parable Jesus tells of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18. In this story, there was a king who began settling his accounts. After one servant who owed a great debt asked for patience in repaying his debt, the king took pity on him and canceled his debt altogether. Later, when the servant did not show the same mercy to a man who was indebted to him, the king called him back in and asked, “Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?” (v. 33). Because the man didn’t extend forgiveness, he was made to repay what he originally owed.

Withholding forgiveness is not an option in the Kingdom of God, but that doesn’t mean it’s not hard or costly to the one who forgives. Jesus died an excruciating death on a cross to make way for our forgiveness. His sacrifice was so great that He sweat drops of blood as He prayed in the garden the night before. It wasn’t a small or easy thing, but Jesus chose the will of the Father over His own will. We are faced with the same choice.

Thankfully, God has not left us on our own as we navigate a life of forgiveness. 2 Peter 1:3 tells us, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life.” We can only do what He asks of us because of His power that enables us, which means the forgiveness we give doesn’t come from us or what we can muster up. In fact, the forgiveness that flows from God to us has the power to flow through us to those around us.

Whether or not the person or offense is worthy of forgiveness isn’t for us to decide. Our job is to choose to be a vessel of forgiveness and allow the power of the Holy Spirit to flow through us to those who have hurt or offended us.

Think of a person or offense you’ve been holding out on forgiving. Imagine the flow of forgiveness that comes from God moving through you to that person or offense. Consider how that forgiveness flowing through you washes away the weight you’ve been carrying as you’ve held onto that offense. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you freely give what you’ve also been freely given.