Clean-Slate Forgiving

The tricky part about forgiving is the 'forgetting' part. Often we hear ourselves say when doling out forgiveness, "Yes, I've forgiven you, but I don't think I can forget what you did to me." Now, we've heard the message of true forgiveness preached to us too many times not to know that this kind of 'forgiveness' is really a reflection of our own conflict between truly wanting to forgive and not being able to look beyond hurt inflicted.

Forgiving ain't easy. Especially not the Lord's kind of forgiving: complete, clean-slate forgiving. If we're in this place today to worship together, it means we want to be disciples of Christ. Wherever we are on the journey getting there, I believe we sincerely do want to get there. But the way has already been established, grace is provided, and the rules that can't be bent are just not going to be bent, and that's for our own good. Some things we'd better be clear about, and get right: this is the age of grace, when there is yet time, and help from the Holy Spirit, to put right within us what needs to be put right. That often begins with forgiving, yes, the Jesus Christ-type forgiving.

The reason pastors keep telling us this is because the Word of God says so. Yes, it's a tremendously high standard of living. When I've been hurt, all I want to do is shoot the one who has hurt me. It's a good thing I don't live in America, where guns are a dime a dozen. It seems that the secret to true forgiving is once again that simple remedy pastors keep preaching: think about His love. Pastors can preach it, but they can't do it for us. That's really our job. Meditating upon our Father's love for us is the only key I can think of to releasing unsullied forgiveness to those who have hurt us.

Sure, I will never fully understand the extent or nature of the love that led Jesus to willingly, wordlessly, submit to torture and humiliation in my stead. But that love is my salvation, and I treasure it. Without it, I am nothing. For the sake of that love, and with the help of His Holy Spirit, I am sure even I can operate in clean-slate forgiving, meditating upon His sacrifice in order to understand love, not with my mind, but with my heart and spirit.

--Unknown Author