Have you heard these words? “I’ll never forgive him….” Or “I will never be able to forgive her for what she has done to me…” Have you heard those words? Said those words?
“Forgive” is a verb, a word that requires action. One who forgives releases resentment, or a claim against another for a wrong. One who forgives grants relief from a debt owed to him by another.
For a Christian, to forgive is not optional. God’s commands are never up for debate. And, in some way I don’t pretend to completely understand, your forgiveness and mine is tied to the way we forgive others.
“Forgive” is a verb, it is an act of the will. God has said “forgive” so don’t say “I can’t”, or “I’m not able”, or “I can never”, be truthful and say “I choose not to”. That is the truth isn’t it? God says do it and you say…….”no”?
Forgiveness is love in a different container. Love is not complete until it is given by an act, like faith, love if alone is only a warm emotion. Only when the object of your love is able to appreciate it is it complete and full. Try to forgive in the same way. Treat the person you want to forgive as if you have. Acts of kindness, greeting with a smile, never mentioning wrongs (real of imagined), but speaking only what is pure, true, and uplifting, and before you know it your heart will catch up with your mind and you will find that you have really forgiven. What a cleansing release!
Forgiveness freely given, expecting nothing in return, given even to one who is undeserving perhaps in your view, is God’s way of wiping bitterness out of your heart and mind forever.
“Forgive” as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you. Can you hear Jesus say from the cross? “Father forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing”. The next time you are faced with the opportunity to be Christ to someone in the wrong, just forgive.
His peace,
Royce Ogle
Grace Digest 
“your forgiveness and mine is tied to the way we forgive others.”
Royce, do you mean our actions do have a bearing on our salvation?
Absolutely so. But I must be quick to say that no action of ours is a substitute for the finished work of Christ, nor is anything we “do” a suppliment to the finished work of Christ on our behalf. Such a teaching is “another gospel which is not another” and those who teach that works help to save us are in danger of being “accuresed” in Paul’s words to the Galations.
I ask you, (and anyone else who expects to take credit in part for his salvation ) the question Paul asked the believers of Galatia, “Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish?Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?
You and I have discussed this perhaps over a dozen times. I believe salvation is a free gift based upon the finished work of Christ alone and you don’t. It is that simple. Anyone who wants to cling to “God’s part + man’s part theology of salvation has fallen from grace according to the clear teaching of Paul. (Gal 2:16, 5:4, Rom 4:16 )
Royce
Royce I have no doubt that the final judgment is his and his alone, but maybe our actions could influence the judge as to whether we go into the sheep pen, or the goat pen. 🙂
Laymond,
As to my salvation I have already been judged. I was already condemned because of my sinful rebellion against a Holy God. And, my sins were judged and the penalty paid in full by the cross work of Christ and because of what He has already done, and only upon His merit, God has declared me “righteous”. Justification by any other definition is not justification but self righteousness.
Royce
Great post, Royce. Very encouraging!
Royce, can you explain to an old Texas boy what these folks are talking about, If we have no part in our salvation.
Lk:20:35: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
Lk:21:36: Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Col:1:10: That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
2Thes:1:5: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
This is just a small offering of where it is said we need to be worthy.
Laymond,
Gladly I will do so (as I have several times before ).
Every Christian is expected to live like who they are, children of God, born from above. If a father, with a good reputation in the community says to his teenage son, “Son, I want you to live worthy of our family name. Please don’t disappoint me by doing things that would not be in step with our good name”. Does that expectation have anything whatsoever to do with whether of not the boy is the father’s son? Of course not. We are as literally God’s children as you are your earthly father’s son. Just as certain as Jesus was the son of God, we who have been born again are children of God too, joint heirs with Jesus. This standing with God is not something we are waiting for, it is a present reality.
Royce
Lk:20:35: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world—-
Royce don’t “worthy” still mean “deserving” ?
No person is either worthy or deserving of God’s graceful offer of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus. Laymond, two opposites cannot be true at the same time. How can a person ever believe he can be “worthy” or “deserving” of eternal life after having read the Bible for many years is almost unbelivable. If you are “worthy” or “deserving” then Christ died in vain.
Royce
Royce – thank you so much for the love and grace you allow God to share through you here.
My Spirit is lifted every time I visit your blog…
You are gifted and a gift…
Jamie,
You are too kind. I like your blog and have added a link to you.
Thanks,
Royce
Another great post Royce. I have a friend that is wrestling with this and I will share your thoughts with him. God Bless my brother.
Why do you think Christ found Himself saying, “Father, forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing.” After hearing Him say that I find it hard to say I can’t forgive. But I also find it hard to forgive.
By HIS Grace!
mh