The Power of Forgiveness (and unforgiveness)

The word of the day is "freedom."

Every election cycle seems to bring the fringes of freedom to the forefront. On one hand, we hear that we are losing our freedoms. Moments later, we discover new dimensions of our freedom. And then we hear stories about how freedom has been used and abused for personal gain and not to love and serve others.

I think we can all agree that to have freedom is to have power. And as Jesus' followers, we have the power to forgive.

Yes, forgiveness is a human choice. It is also the responsibility of Jesus' followers.

Here is why.

Pastor/Author Tim Keller shares that the modern definition of freedom is having complete human autonomy, and that's not a new idea. In John 8, people tell Jesus they are not slaves to anyone.

Truth… we do have the freedom to forgive. It's our choice… unless Jesus has a different definition of freedom (which He does).

Jesus says that freedom is not autonomy but rather doing things that free people get to do.

Jesus says that you only get free by obeying His teaching. If you are really my disciples, you will obey my teaching. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. And, if Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life - this is how we know the only wholly free person who has ever lived - Jesus Christ, by freely choosing to do what He says to do.

In a world that defines freedom as complete individualism, that sounds outrageous. But that's how freedom has always worked. Human beings have always been influenced, motivated, or driven (or enslaved) by someone or something.

For Jesus followers, we are free because we are loved and forgiven apart from what we do. Through Jesus, we are loved and forgiven by His free grace, forgiveness, and love. Period.

Why? So we can be free to give away the same grace, forgiveness, and love to people who are undeserving of it (that would be all of us).

Do you see how choosing to forgive others generously is a matter of our freedom to live more like Jesus? And if you have ever forgiven someone who knew they didn't deserve it, you know how powerful that can be for you and the recipient.

Which means there is also power in unforgiveness. But not in the way you may think.

We may assume that we are free to withhold forgiveness (which we are). By doing so, we unleash power over someone else for the wrong they have done to us. But the reality is that unforgiveness really unleashes power against ourselves. Instead of being influenced, motivated, or driven (or enslaved) by Jesus, we turn deeper into ourselves.

Unforgiveness is like a cancer that suffocates our soul. Our faith weakens because unforgiveness is another way we place ourselves on God's throne—the only one who can forgive sins. We look more and more to ourselves to justify or adjudicate the wrong or injustice we have experienced. And as if the cross was not enough, we choose to crucify ourselves (or others) for the sin that has already been forgiven.

The power of unforgiveness is real and powerful. It destroys us from the inside out.

The truth is that the only way out of unforgiveness is to see God as a loving parent who wants you—His forgiven child—home with Him again.

Have you experienced the power of forgiveness? If so, please drop me a note—I'd love to hear all about it.

If you are struggling with unforgiveness, know that you are not alone. Email me, and let's walk through it together.

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