Forgiveness the old fashioned way ...

Forgiveness comes with undeserved grace.  God, the Father of all graces forgives, choose to forgive. We don’t deserve forgiveness, but He, nonetheless, chooses to forgive. For it is by grace that we have been saved through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8). Grace is not a one-way street, however. We too must be full of grace—as a matter of fact, our eternal salvation depends on it (Matthew 6:14-15). So, in this sense grace is a two-way street. God forgive us conditionally. That being so we too must show grace in forgiving others. They may not deserve it, but we must forgive them, nonetheless.

No, this is not a doctrine of works, it’s the gospel of grace; a kind of Godly tit-for-tat grace, you might say. Now that’s pretty strong medicine—a bitter pill for some, but one that we must take if we want God to forgive us. 

This brings up a very necessary point which elicits a question: “Can a Christian keep score—that is hold a grudge?” According to God’s holy word, the answer is no. Yet, we all know that there are many that do. For sure, such are not walking in the light as they see the light for Godly light exposes such hypocrisy. And, hypocrisy it is. Be that what it may be— an alcoholic parent; or a double-crossing “friend” or an unfaithful spouse; the list could go on and on, but the bottom line is that they feel offended and will not forgive. No, they would rather nurse old wounds and muddle on, grumbling through life, and with all assumed piety recited the Lord’s Prayer faithfully each Sunday and sing with the best of them “All is well with my soul.” Nothing could be farther from the truth.

These are tough words, but true words, nonetheless. 

Now, may I go one step further and simply say that you or I cannot expect peace of mind until we are willing to accept God’s conditions for forgiveness. The truth is that nagging guilt complex that many carry around can easily be taken care of in an instance, if only they would give and then ask for forgiveness. For without giving forgiveness, forgiveness is not received. Now, friends, that God’s condition; not just something I pulled out of the thin blue air.

So, forgiveness is serious business, particularly in the Kingdom of Righteousness. Give and it shall be given to you is an eternal principle in all walks of life, and happy is the man whose sins are forgiven (Psalm 32:1; cf. Strong’s).  

Now, take care, and take time to forgive!

 JimR_/