Craig Clouston

Transitional Forgiveness

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. But if you do not forgive…your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 6:12, 15

Julie’s husband, Tim, had been attacked by two strangers for his wallet. Now he lay in a hospital bed, recuperating, while the two men remained on the loose. “How can God allow the guilty to go free while an innocent man suffers?” she cried.

“I’m not making light of what’s happened, Julie,” her friend, Laura said, “but he did the very same thing for you and me when He sent Jesus, an innocent man, to die for us, the guilty, to set us free from our sin.”

“It’s not the same!” Julie argued.

“Isn’t it?” Laura asked. “God asks us to forgive those who harm us, allowing Him to judge them. Jesus forgave. Hopefully they will turn from the life they now live, and accept Jesus’ sacrifice.”

“I don’t care if they never find forgiveness!” Julie spat, looking at her bruised and battered husband.

“But God does.” Laura said softly. “What if they never get caught, Julie? Do you want to hang on to this bitterness forever? It will turn your heart cold. You need to forgive…otherwise God’s peace can’t drive out the anger and growing bitterness.”

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Forgiveness is at the heart of the Christian message: God, through Jesus, has forgiven us, therefore, we are to forgive others. Yet, when we are wronged, our hearts scream for vengeance. God says that’s His domain (Hebrews 10:30). We are to leave the outcome in His capable hands; otherwise, our hearts will remain in constant turmoil.

How do we transition from Julie’s heart of judgment to Jesus’ heart of forgiveness? The process begins by asking God to birth in us a willingness to forgive.

Forgiveness isn’t always a noticeable, dramatic, outward or inward event. Sometimes it begins in increments so subtle we don’t see the change taking place. Eventually, we find the anger and offense is gone. In the transition we move from a heart of judgment to one of peace. God's peace.

Prayer

“LORD, sometimes my heart’s desire is to not forgive. Help me remember what You did for me on Calvary, and no matter the wrong, create in me a heart willing to forgive. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”