Recently I received this meme on Facebook posted by a friend. It made me think a lot. How would you respond? What should we do? In the end I simply ignored it, but what were my options?
YES – such people take away my freedom and sense of well-being, they make me feel bad and lose sleep, they are not good for my health.
NO – such people need to realise what they have done, they need friends who will be honest and confront their behaviour, and shouldn’t we always forgive?
- Forgiveness isn’t easy
- Forgiveness is costly
The Lord’s Prayer
“Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” What does the ‘as’ mean in this sentence?
- in the same way that we are forgiven?
- at the same time that we are forgiven?
- its a confession of faith and an expression of intention?
Forgiveness and Jesus at Easter
Some Pastoral Reflections on Forgiveness
- Forgiveness is in the nature and identity of God.
- Forgiveness is the will of God for the people of God.
- Forgiveness is powerful and shouldn’t be treated lightly.
- USE: Forgiveness releases the person being forgiven.
- ABUSE: Forgiveness can hurt, condemn or damage.
- Forgiveness should not be assumed or presumed.
- Forgiveness cannot and should not be compelled.
- Forgiveness comes from a heart that loves people.
- Forgiveness puts the other person first before everything.
- Forgiveness is not a therapy for our own benefit.
- Forgiveness doesn’t turn back the clock.
- Forgiveness doesn’t always rebuild trust or the relationship.
- Forgiveness provides a means for parties to move on.
- Forgiveness is part of a process depending on repentance.
- Forgiveness begins and ends with saying “I am sorry”.
Forgiveness within the context of Repentance
- Humility
- Acknowledgement
- Sorrow (I am sorry)
- Confession
- Forgiveness (I forgive)
- Repentance
- Transformation (I will change)