The Gift to Forgive. . .

Jesus Loves Me - Arrangement by David Baroni
(Please click for background music as you read this message of H.I.M.)
It was bittersweet when I recently sold my car. However, I could no longer keep looking at my sporty, white standard Ford Focus, with all its bells and whistles, sitting in the garage without it continually reminding me “what was” instead of “what is.” I had worked hard to buy my one and only brand new car, but that was then and this is now. Due to my bone cancer, my bones are at too high of a risk to fracture, at any time, in either my hips or arms should a sudden stop or jolt occur; hence, my decision to sell.

It was just too high of a debt for me to possibly pay should something happen, while driving; it could inevitably cause a significant setback that would cause even greater limitations than what I already have.

Thankfully, in no time after advertising, a young man and his dad came to see my car and without hesitation wanted to buy it. Thus, in order for me to hold it for him and to express his seriousness to buy it, the young man gave me a small deposit until the car was formally safety-checked. A couple of days later, when he came back to pay his remaining debt, I gave him the key and off he went. As a result, he set me "free" of ownership and, in return, I gave him his freedom of independence; thus, it was actually a "gift" to both of us.

One of my favourite classical hymns is “The Lord’s Prayer,” which is based on Scripture, Matthew 6:9-13. Not only have I heard many beautiful renditions of this song; my favourite

being sung by Mario Lanza, but I have also had the joy singing it many times, as well as saying this prayer reverently in church and in primary school, believe it or not; oh, how times have changed.  There is one part of this song/scripture, however, which always speaks to me profoundly each time I hear it or say it, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6, verse 12). The older I get, the more I realize how important it is to not only “receive” forgiveness, but “give” forgiveness. If I want a kinder, gentler, humbled spirit then I “must” forgive. It is, in fact, a decree from God as read in Colossians 3:13, “Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” God does not say, you “might” want to think about forgiving or you “should” think about forgiving, but you “must” forgive.  So, what are the benefits from the “gift to forgive”? Here are some of my thoughts ~   

Mentorship – As I meditate on the Scriptures, God is always mentoring us and showing us the importance of forgiving. For instance, I Thessalonians 5:23 states,

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. . .” In other words, God, himself, wants to teach us one-on-one His “will” for our lives, which includes His grace, forgiveness, and mercy through His love.  In return, He wants us to demonstrate this same act of love towards others just as we have received it from Him.  This can only happen, if we “choose” to want to know the will of God in our lives. Hence, the “gift to forgive” demonstrates our “willingness” to “choose” to allow God to teach us to forgive, just as He willingly forgives us. 

Encouragement – Just as I have received the kindness of forgiveness from others I, too, must demonstrate this by passing it forward.  The “gift to forgive” is the “key” that

will bring forth a healthy change in not only the one being forgiven, but the giver too, in order
for all to receive love, peace and gratitude by all. If there is no forgiveness, however, this can truly lead to many health problems like insomnia, high blood pressure, headaches, and general malaise, to name just a few.  Our emotions play a very big part on “how” or “when” or “why” we "choose" to forgive someone else.  However, the longer it is delayed, the longer will you  NOT know peace and contentment in your heart. Mark 11:25-26 says, “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him(her), that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you  do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”  Hence, the “gift to forgive” demonstrates our desire to please God, while He encourages us to forgive.    

Restoration – Rather than holding a grudge, I have learned it is far greater for me to

restore and repair a fractured relationship, if possible, rather than throwing it away. How often God has been so gracious, so willing to restore His peace in my heart when I humbly pray asking for His forgiveness, never turning me away, but waiting for me to come to Him. It restores one’s faith when reading I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Hence, the “gift to forgive” restores our relationship with God. 
   
Compassion – I believe it not only takes “courage” but "compassion” to forgive one another. It is very easy to want to “hold on” instead of “letting go” our grievances toward one another, but to what avail? The greatest form of compassion demonstrated by God was sending His Son to die on the cross for us so that we would have everlasting life; only God can do that for us by His merciful and gracious heart (Psalm 103:8). However, what He does ask of us is to “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). Hence, the “gift to forgive” compels us to show compassion towards one another; you cannot forgive if you do not have love in your heart; likewise, you cannot love if you do not have forgiveness in your heart, the two are in sync with one another.
       
Yourself – One of the most challenging lessons I have learned is to forgive “myself.” How easy it is to rethink and revisit those moments in my life that I would rather forget, but for some reason find difficult to let go out of shame, disappointment or regret.

However, God repeatedly says, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18). If  we truly believe God forgives us, then should we not expect the same of ourselves? By not letting go and moving on with God leaves one with a glass half-empty not half-full? What possible benefit can one receive from a “negative” attitude? None. However, when we “choose” a  “positive” attitude of letting go of our own regrets, our anger and our hurts, it not only gives us strength to let go and move on and follow God's will, but allows us to love ourselves again, love others, and let others love us, too. Hence, the “gift to forgive” opens up new doors of opportunity to love again ~ yourself and others.        

The fact that God continually shows His everlasting “grace” and “MERCY” to forgive us when we confess our wrong doings to Him is to marvel, for it truly sets us "free" and breaks that chains of regret that bind us; it truly is the greatest “gift” of all!  His “gift to forgive” constantly shows us His everlasting love through the sacrifice of His Son.    

And so, it is through the “gift to forgive” that I leave you with another lesson of His "MERCY."  It is because of the “gift to forgive” that I am can cling to His faithfulness knowing, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). So, I ask, “What can be more comforting, more reassuring, and show more “MERCY” then when I sing “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells us so?”

For me to experience freedom in my life, 

I must receive the “gift to forgive”

for my life,

throughout my life

always & forever.