To Forgive Is Divine

To forgive is divine

by f. martin

Matthew 6:14-15

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

If you have been a Christian for more than an hour, you most likely have understood that the primary theme to our faith is forgiveness. It is the central theme to why we worship our Father in Heaven, because He forgave us. He did so before we were us! Many Christians have heard this, witnessed this, preached this and practiced this. It is tough indeed to live this when it is on our lap. Quite frankly, there are many things that are tough within the Christian faith because it goes against the nature we live within day to day. The world spits out movie after movie of revenge, anger, rage and these actions are often done by men/women labeled as heroes. How many movies are out there where a cheek is turned to be slapped in kind as the first? How many movies relive the scenes where instead of revenge or blackmail, forgiveness is outpouring and voluminous?

A brother of mine led me to a gospel artist in whom I have come to enjoy a particular song of his. The song reminded me of the words of my maternal grandfather. My grandfather stated that if you had a burden that vexed you greatly, let everyone you know share in it. He meant that I should tell everyone about it. His logic was that the greatest part of the burden was the secret. Secondly he would claim that by telling many, there may be an opportunity for a solution from those who you have told as well as compassion from the same. The song that reminds me of that lesson began like this;

Tonight as you stand at the altar,

I want you to know that you’re already forgiven.

Many came down for many different reasons,

But whatever your reason is, Jesus said,

“I am come that you might have life”.

So take a minute and forgive yourself, because the bible says,

“That there is therefore now no condemnation, to them which are in Christ Jesus”

Clap your hands if you know the guilt is gone, it’s gone.

It was spoken in a manner akin to preaching, which gave it a dynamic that was relative to its core meaning. I have never suffered under the yoke of a secret and I pray you as reader’s never do. I also have not told every bit of information pertaining to me to everyone, and I pray you never do. Yet I have consistently unburdened myself to many who have helped me along the way. My peace in life is a result of this. I fear no one from my past, present or future. I cannot be held hostage because I have been held accountable. I cannot be manipulated, because I have been emancipated.

There are only two people whose forgiveness you must seek. The first is the Lord Jesus Christ. This one is mandatory and has already been exclaimed to be part and parcel of our faith and our relationship with Christ. This is the essence of Christ’s Godhood. For what other reason did God sacrifice His only begotten, but to redeem, save and wash our sins from us? The entire bible is based upon the Father-Son relationship, which then gives life to the Son-man relationship. This is the relationship founded upon forgiveness. The second person that is essential in your forgiveness is you. As much as is said amongst the brethren of the house of Faith, we still eat our young and fear our kind. In this area I am not too fearful to speak. If you are a Christian and you are behaving contrary to scripture towards me, you will hear me exclaim this truth. I will do so without hesitation because I believe it is as important for you as for me.

Ephesians 4:14-16

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

A brother of mine whom I spent much time with was with me as I vied for a spot at the US Open regional qualifying. During a practice round I was mentally spent and performing poorly. My experience was that I would shut it down, regroup and recharge and come out again the next day. This type thinking was contrary to my friend’s experience which incorporated an at all cost, go for it mentality. This mentality was not foreign to me as many coaches had instilled this with me in various sports programs. The problem was not the challenge it brought to me, it was that our relationship had transcended sports and worldly machinations. We had ascended to a strong relationship in Christ and I was not able to go back to where that inquiry toward my resolve would have been easily digested. This caused a riff between us that was felt by us both. What is beautiful about the Lord is, the bond was indeed there because we play golf together weekly and our relationship is stronger. I truly respected him for attempting to push me as he knew how, as much as I respected him for understanding that with Christ, the push with me was not needed. I love him for what he offers me as a friend and as a Christian. We have been truthful with one another, and it’s a freedom and a trust that is not attainable without truth.