Forgive

Forgive

Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Luke 6:38

Forgiveness should be an easy subject, but it never is.  When someone wrongs us, the hurt is often so deep that the thought of forgiving the other person is repugnant to us.  They, after all, are the perpetrator of the offense, and we are the victim.  Why in the world should we forgive them?

I thought it might be helpful for me if I made a list of what forgiveness is, and what it is not.  

• Forgiveness is not weakness.
• Forgiveness is not condoning or approving the offence
• Forgiveness does not mean that the offence can be swept under the rug
• Forgiveness does not deny that the offence ever took place
• Forgiveness does not make the pain go away
• Forgiveness does not restore trust
• Forgiveness does not guarantee reconciliation
• Forgiveness does not trump justice
• Forgiveness does not let the offender off the hook
• Forgiveness is not forgetting what happened
• Forgiveness is not giving the other person permission to continue bad behavior

On the other hand...

• Forgiveness is a choice
• Forgiveness is based on our attitude, not the other person's actions
• Forgiveness is realizing that the other person may never admit they are wrong
• Forgiveness is letting go of the need for revenge
• Forgiveness is letting go of bitterness and resentment toward the other person
• Forgiveness is replacing anger with compassion
• Forgiveness is a gift of healing for yourself 

 Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds 

on the heel that has crushed it.

-Mark Twain

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God forgave my sins in Jesus’ name,

I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name.

And in Jesus’ name I come to you,

To share His love as He told me to.

He said, “Freely, freely, you have received,

Freely, freely give.

Go in my name, and because you believe,

Others will know that I love.”

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 389