Forgiveness is Hard Work
Forgiveness is Hard Work
Forgiveness is Hard Work
Forgiveness is Hard Work
Jesus was all-powerful and had the ability to miraculously heal someone by merely speaking. Jesus wanted those listening (then and now) to understand how important and life-giving forgiveness is. Forgiveness gives us even more freedom than
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk' But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” - Matthew 9:4-6
Jesus was all-powerful and had the ability to miraculously heal someone by merely speaking. Jesus wanted those listening (then and now) to understand how important and life-giving forgiveness is. Forgiveness gives us even more freedom than mobility.
Jesus was also all-knowing and He knew offering forgiveness would result in humiliation, pain, suffering, and ultimately death on a cross. Jesus wants us to know He has authority to forgive sins. Jesus is our source and model for forgiveness. Forgiveness is not easy for us either.
Hard Work in Both Directions
Forgiveness can be as hard to receive as it is to distribute to others. Think about it—when was the last time you gave a sincere apology? It’s much easier to ask coworkers, friends, and family for help with a project than it is to ask them to forgive you for how you have wronged them.
Forgiving someone who has intentionally wronged you can be even harder because we feel like we have surrendered our rights and feelings. Lewis Smedes says, "Forgiveness is love's toughest work."
Sin Paralyzes — Shame and Guilt Destroy
The shame and guilt of sin ruins lives, families, and organizations. “Guilty emotions are typically irrational. You create these perceptions of your own failures that ferment in your mind. Your actions then reflect these emotions, which cause these perceptions to continue. The relationship between guilt and depression forms a swirling pool of negative thinking. They can often spiral out of control, feeding off each other until they are consuming.” - WebMD
Just as guilt and shame ruin lives, holding onto grudges and not doing the hard work of reconciliation and forgiveness can also ruin lives, families, and organizations. The medical staff at the Mayo Clinic have come to the conclusion that being unforgiving brings the following:
- You become so wrapped up in the wrong that you can't enjoy the present.
- Your anger and bitterness enters every relationship and new experience.
- You become depressed or anxious.
- You feel that your life lacks meaning or purpose, or that you're at odds with your spiritual beliefs.
- You lose valuable and enriching connectedness with others.
Receiving and distributing forgiveness is undoubtedly difficult, but if we want to be healthy and lead healthy organizations we must do the hard work of exposing our flaws—as we seek forgiveness, surrendering our rights, and forgive others.
Forgiveness Frees
When we know we are forgiven we experience true freedom. Each of us knows down deep that we have all sinned (Romans 3:23). As we recognize our sin and stop deceiving ourselves (1 John 1:8) a weight on the heart, mind, and body is released. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Jesus bore our sin when He was nailed to the cross (1 Peter 2:24). He carried the full weight and set us free from sin. When Jesus sets you free, you are free indeed (John 8:36).
Free People Forgive
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” - Ephesians 4:32
Once we understand our forgiveness in Christ we can’t help but respond in worship to God (Luke 7:45-47) and forgive others as we have been forgiven. To forgive others as we have been forgiven means we don’t have to defend ourselves. We don’t have to get even. We can surrender our preferences because we would rather see our coworkers, friends, and family experience the same freedom of forgiveness that we have been given.
Here is what some of the world’s greatest peacemakers have said about forgiveness:
“We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.” - Corrie Ten Boom
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” - C. S. Lewis
“Forgiveness is unlocking the door to set someone free and realizing you were the prisoner!” - Max Lucado
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk' But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” - Matthew 9:4-6
Jesus was all-powerful and had the ability to miraculously heal someone by merely speaking. Jesus wanted those listening (then and now) to understand how important and life-giving forgiveness is. Forgiveness gives us even more freedom than mobility.
Jesus was also all-knowing and He knew offering forgiveness would result in humiliation, pain, suffering, and ultimately death on a cross. Jesus wants us to know He has authority to forgive sins. Jesus is our source and model for forgiveness. Forgiveness is not easy for us either.
Hard Work in Both Directions
Forgiveness can be as hard to receive as it is to distribute to others. Think about it—when was the last time you gave a sincere apology? It’s much easier to ask coworkers, friends, and family for help with a project than it is to ask them to forgive you for how you have wronged them.
Forgiving someone who has intentionally wronged you can be even harder because we feel like we have surrendered our rights and feelings. Lewis Smedes says, "Forgiveness is love's toughest work."
Sin Paralyzes — Shame and Guilt Destroy
The shame and guilt of sin ruins lives, families, and organizations. “Guilty emotions are typically irrational. You create these perceptions of your own failures that ferment in your mind. Your actions then reflect these emotions, which cause these perceptions to continue. The relationship between guilt and depression forms a swirling pool of negative thinking. They can often spiral out of control, feeding off each other until they are consuming.” - WebMD
Just as guilt and shame ruin lives, holding onto grudges and not doing the hard work of reconciliation and forgiveness can also ruin lives, families, and organizations. The medical staff at the Mayo Clinic have come to the conclusion that being unforgiving brings the following:
- You become so wrapped up in the wrong that you can't enjoy the present.
- Your anger and bitterness enters every relationship and new experience.
- You become depressed or anxious.
- You feel that your life lacks meaning or purpose, or that you're at odds with your spiritual beliefs.
- You lose valuable and enriching connectedness with others.
Receiving and distributing forgiveness is undoubtedly difficult, but if we want to be healthy and lead healthy organizations we must do the hard work of exposing our flaws—as we seek forgiveness, surrendering our rights, and forgive others.
Forgiveness Frees
When we know we are forgiven we experience true freedom. Each of us knows down deep that we have all sinned (Romans 3:23). As we recognize our sin and stop deceiving ourselves (1 John 1:8) a weight on the heart, mind, and body is released. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Jesus bore our sin when He was nailed to the cross (1 Peter 2:24). He carried the full weight and set us free from sin. When Jesus sets you free, you are free indeed (John 8:36).
Free People Forgive
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” - Ephesians 4:32
Once we understand our forgiveness in Christ we can’t help but respond in worship to God (Luke 7:45-47) and forgive others as we have been forgiven. To forgive others as we have been forgiven means we don’t have to defend ourselves. We don’t have to get even. We can surrender our preferences because we would rather see our coworkers, friends, and family experience the same freedom of forgiveness that we have been given.
Here is what some of the world’s greatest peacemakers have said about forgiveness:
“We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.” - Corrie Ten Boom
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” - C. S. Lewis
“Forgiveness is unlocking the door to set someone free and realizing you were the prisoner!” - Max Lucado