One of the key identifying traits of Christians is supposed to be our forgiving nature.
Forgiveness is symbolized to Christians through the perfect life of Christ. It was his life, death, and resurrection that allowed us to be reconciled with God, serving as the ultimate example of forgiveness. Even though we didn’t deserve to be reunited with God because of our litany of sins, God choose to forgive us.
Throughout much of his ministry, Jesus spent a large portion of his time preaching forgiveness to his followers. Nothing marks his steadfast commitment to forgiveness more than his gracious attitude during his crucifixion. Even after being beaten and mocked mercilessly, Jesus cries out to God begging for him to forgive them–“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34).
But Jesus doesn’t stop there. As he takes in increasingly excruciatingly painful breaths, he uses some of his last words to grant forgiveness to one of the criminals being crucified next to him. In Luke 34:42, the criminal says, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answers with, “Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
That’s the kind of forgiveness that drives you straight to tears. An unabashed love of humankind despite of all its flaws. What a relief it must be to live with such overflowing humility and grace. To never let the hurt and anger devour your soul.
I wish I could live that way.
This is one of those Christian principles that I stumble with constantly. I certainly wouldn’t consider myself a vengeful or spiteful person but I definitely have a difficult time forgetting other people’s transgressions. I’m happy to forgive them of their errors but acting like it never happened—I just can’t do it. I think that I need to guard myself from those people, keeping my distance because you’re never sure when you will be hurt again.
I’m certain that is not the kind of forgiveness that Christ has called me to pursue. I should be forgiving with reckless abandon because He forgave me first. And that I will never truly deserve. So who am I to question my forgiveness of others?
Forgiveness is not a gift to me or to the offending party. It’s a gift to God, recognizing that He has given us the ultimate forgiveness and the least we can do is grant forgiveness for petty, worldly transgressions.
So when I forget to be bountifully forgiving, I will silently shout to myself, “God forgave you first. God forgave you first. GOD forgave YOU first.”
