Freedom to Forgive

The power to forgive. We often hear of last minute stays preventing those soon to be executed from receiving their given punishment. In that case, the power to forgive seems large. Who can do that?  It's a question first century Jews asked of Jesus. How can you do that? How can you claim to forgive sin?  Afterall, that seems rather like something God would or should do. Jesus went on to clarify by demonstrating his credentials. He didn't bother to debate who he was or why he had authority. He simply performed such feats as demonstrated that he apparently DID have the authority to pardon. 

Forgiveness is the power to declare a debt cancelled. God does this with us, and he asks  - commands even - that we do so with others. Jesus went on to inform his listeners that really, they couldn't "pay off" the debt they owed. It's that way with those who hurt us.  There are those things in life which can't ever be fixed. The broken plate is broken. You may be able to buy another - maybe - but you'll never make that plate whole again.  Some things in each person's life are exactly like that. They can be forgiven but they can't be paid off.  True forgiveness acknowledges pain and wounding. It recognizes loss. And Chooses to forgive.  True forgivenss understands and feels the cost of what has been lost or what has been done, and offers the cancelling of the right to hold that offense over another.  Forgiveness is a covenant commitment to declare the offense paid and no longer owning.  Forgiveness ISN"T free. It's costly. But it is healing and restorative. 

Let's look at three elements of forgiveness today. Offering forgivenesss,  Receiving Forgiveness,  Seeking to be forgiven.