My chapter on forgiveness on Trampled By Geese is done and sent to the editor. Here are some highlights.
Forgiveness is not able to revise past words and actions, but it can and does give us a better future.
A life that rejects forgiveness is a life ruled by guilt and resentment.
It was a miracle when Christ said to the paralyzed man: Your sins are forgiven, stand up and walk. Though this miracle has not happened to me—what miraculous confidence and openness in faith to believe that sin is completely forgotten so that no anxiety accompanies one’s memory of it; truly to believe that one has become a new person so that one scarcely recognizes oneself. (JN, vol. 4, Journal NB4: 156, p. 360) #Kierkegaard
This is part of Rembrandt’s “Return of the Prodigal Son” at the Hermitage in St. Petersburg. I walked into a room and saw it. One of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. It powerfully shows forgiveness. Notice the expression of the man observing the forgiveness: he is moved by this counter-cultural act.
A person reposes in the forgiveness of sins when the thought of God no longer reminds him of the sin, but of the fact that it is forgiven, so that what is past is not a recollection of how much he offended, but of how much he has been forgiven. (JN, vol. 4, Journal NB2: 116, p. 185) #Kierkegaard
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:31-32, NLT)
Forgiveness is more like this: You hurt me. I could and maybe should end our relationship. I probably can’t forget what has been done and will most likely carry some woundedness for a while. But I want you to know I get you are human and I am not going to let your mistakes diminish my future. So I forgive you. Do what you want with it, but I’m moving forward. I’m choosing grace over pain and healing over hurting.
Do you really want your future to be comprised of watching the video of some of the most painful moments of your life? I’m guessing you don’t either. It’s time to start creating some new videos. Some good ones.
We don’t forgive others because they are worthy or deserving. We pray and begin the journey of forgiveness for our own peace.
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. (Colossians 3:13, NLT)
Life is too short to stay angry. Life is too short to remain hurt. Claiming and remembering this truth allows our mind to eventually lead our heart down the path of forgiveness.
Just as one by faith believes the unseen into what is seen, so the one who loves by forgiveness believes away what is seen. Both are faith. Blessed is the believer, he believes what he cannot see; blessed is the one who loves, he believes away that which he indeed can see! (WL, p. 295) #Kierkegaard
