The Northwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church

I can almost feel the emotions that flooded my being the first time I knelt at the church altar and prayed for God’s forgiveness of my sins. The declaration of John Wesley that he felt his heart strangely warmed and that God forgave his sins, even his sins, relates directly to my own experience. Other experiences related to that initial experience reoccurred numerous times over the expanding years of my life. I know God forgives me. God requires no payment, no actions, no commitments, and no promises. God’s forgiveness comes through Jesus Christ as a gracious gift and only comes with a gracious invitation to follow Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Over the past few weeks, I heard persons affirm their forgiveness of other people. Some of those pronouncements came with tones of voices and subsequent actions that caused me to wonder if we had the same definition of forgiveness as I possessed. It is beyond my comprehension that God heard my plea for forgiveness and then grudgingly or hesitantly offered that announcement. Instead, I visualize a loving Savior and Lord, standing beside my Heavenly Father, jumping up and down for joy that this hard headed, selfish, self-centered, and slow to understand, creature finally got it right. I turned from self-reliance to Christ reliant. I wanted that dividing wall of hostility created by my sinfulness, destroyed. I wanted to live in a new relationship with the Triune God. Forgiveness makes that relationship possible.

Jesus calls us to forgive as we have been forgiven. Forgiveness means that we tear down those walls that separate us from one another so that reconciliation may occur. I can never bring about reconciliation with another person. The reason is simple. Reconciliation is a two way street. I may do everything in my power to re-establish that relationship, but reconciliation requires a reciprocal reaction from the other person. By forgiving them, I step forward and offer to others what God offers to me in Jesus Christ—a new start, a new relationship. My forgiveness can be accepted or rejected. This is what Jesus did on the cross. He forgave us. We can receive or reject his gift. Our decision makes all the difference in the world as to the meaning and purpose of life. Nothing more is required on the behalf of the Triune God. Jesus offers the forgiveness.

The implications of this understanding weigh heavily on my heart. If I forgive another person as Christ has forgiven me, then a changed attitude occurs in my heart and life toward others. If I forgive them, I am ready to form a new relationship. Past actions and behavior cease to determine present and future behavior and responses. Forgiveness is responding to others the way Jesus responds to me.

Forgiveness means that I may remember the actions and words that created the chasm that exist between us, but I no longer live with that chasm. I commit myself to work to build a bridge over that chasm that separates me from those who wronged me. Forgiveness means that the harm and hurt rendered is of no value or consequence as we form the new relationship. It means the dissipation of the harshness, pain, and anger that previously existed. Love, understanding, and concern replace the previous emotions that fostered the chasm leading to a shattered, excruciating relationship.

I pray before I use those beautiful words that are filled with such meaning and power, I will stop and ask myself, “Do I truly forgive this person; or do I only wish I could forgive this person?” Forgiving others as I have been forgiven is perhaps my greatest challenge. May I begin today to practice true forgiveness.

Grace & Peace,