I have written about the power and importance of forgiveness in our Christian life; but I read something recently that brought if back to mind. Just before his release from prison, Nelson Mandela said, “As I stand at the door of my freedom, I know if I don’t leave my pain, anger and resentment behind me, I will still be in prison” Nelson Mandela had serious injustice and grievances to forgive, but he knew clinging to hatred and resentment would harm him far more than those who did him wrong. So many people are living in a prison of their own making because they can’t forgive and move on. Like acid, hatred and resentment eat away at them inside negatively affecting their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.
Of course there is a much greater example of forgiveness. Jesus not only forgave the very people who were driving spikes into his hands and feet and executing him in one of the most cruel, painful and humiliating ways possible; He asked His heavenly Father to forgive them as well. (see Luke 23:34) Jesus went beyond forgiveness. He actually loved those men and died for their sins (and mine). None of that should surprise us. He was just putting into practice how He teaches us to live. “Then Peter came to him and asked, ‘Lord, how many times should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times? ‘No, not seven times’, Jesus replied, ‘seventy times seven.’” (Matthew 18:21-22) “But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” (Matthew: 5:44) “But to those who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you!” (Luke 6:35)
I don’t think Jesus was telling Peter to keep track and when you have forgiven them 490 times, you can stop forgiving. I think he was telling him to stop counting and just forgive. Only God can actually forgive sin, so our forgiveness is for our benefit not theirs. Forgiving sets us free from anger, hatred and the temptation to seek revenge. Carrying a grudge will drag you down to the level of the person who wronged you and it will rob you of God’s peace and joy. It is easier to forgive someone who asks for our forgiveness; but Jesus commands us to forgive our enemies – all of them. If there is ever someone I can’t forgive, I will do what Corrie ten Boom did and ask the Holy Spirit to forgive them for me. That removed the burden from her shoulders and placed it in God’s hands. I don’t know about you, but I find it hardest to forgive myself. Even after God has forgiven me, the enemy still tries to get me to cling to the guilt. With God’s help I have learned to put sins He has forgiven behind me for good.
Jesus affirmed the Old Testament Law “Love your neighbor as yourself”. That law is referenced nine times in the New Testament. I always thought loving yourself was egotistical; but when I accepted Christ as my Savior, I experienced God’s love and finally felt worthy of my own love. Jesus takes us into Godly territory when He tells us to love our enemies. We can only forgive and love as He does through the power of the Holy Spirit within us.