All Things New

Forgiveness is one of those subjects we as Christ followers feel we have mastered. Even psychologists with no reference to Scripture or Jesus have come to understand the therapeutic benefit of forgiveness. At the same time, it’s important to recognize that true forgiveness is always a miracle and is simply humanly impossible. The power of unforgiveness is to keep us trapped in the past, unable to move forward into the future. The power of forgiveness is the power to make all things new.

To begin with, what is forgiveness? In the Old Testament “forgiveness” is a translation of the (Hebrew) word nasa’, and paints a picture of something being lifted up and let go or released. I like to picture someone holding a bird in the air and allowing it to fly away. In the New Testament “forgive” is the (Greek) word aphiemi, a rich word that means to let go and send away; to cancel, remit and pardon; to leave and give up. It paints a picture of a courtroom where all the evidence has been presented, convicting “beyond a reasonable doubt” a criminal of guilt and calling for appropriate punishment. In the face of the guilty verdict the judges chooses to set the prisoner free.

The basis for all forgiveness is the reality that every human being stands convicted and guilty before God. Sin – our choices to live independently from God – has separated us from God (Isaiah 59:2). No amount of good deeds can offset the verdict of “guilty” as we stand before God, calling for just consequences. The only hope for humanity calls for a voluntary offering of a ransom sufficient to offset all the sin of all humankind. It would take something like God pouring himself into humanity and offering his pure, spotless life as payment, making “redemption” (buying out of slavery) possible. Fortunately for us, that is exactly what God has accomplished in Christ. Infinite sin against an infinite God has been forgiven as a result of the infinite sacrifice and of the infinitely pure Lamb. “All are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24).

Now, an infinite foundation of forgiveness experienced by turning to God in repentance and faith calls for a lifestyle of forgiveness. Forgiveness flows like a river and is experienced only as we release it through our lives to others. So how does forgiveness work in our personal experience? First of all, it requires someone to have actually committed a sin against you – evidence can be offered that would clearly show that person to be guilty, calling for an appropriate punishment. But instead of exacting punishment, instead of demanding justice, you choose to release that person from punishment and to release them from their guilty verdict. True forgiveness not only takes place in outward circumstances, it must also take place in the heart. Have you ever forgiven someone but kept rehearsing the “evidence to convict” in your mind? If so, you haven’t really forgiven them yet. The problem with unforgiveness is that it blocks forgiveness coming into our lives from God. And unforgiveness can eventually lead to bitterness that poisons our lives and the lives of those we come in contact with.

To be honest, true forgiveness “from the heart” is always a miracle. It assumes that we have received forgiveness from God, and it also assumes that God’s grace and presence are working in our hearts, empowering us to release forgiveness to others. How do you know whether or not unforgiveness has a place in your heart? Let me suggest a couple of possible indicators:

Rehearsing the evidence. Do you find yourself revisiting the offense committed against you (or someone close to you)? Does your mind automatically go back to those scenes and those words? Unforgiveness has found a foothold in your heart.

Low grade anger. Does the sight of that person (or even their name or the sound of their voice) stimulate irritation, anger, or some kind of emotional upset? The power of unforgiveness is still polluting your soul.

Imagining the punishment. Do you think of ways that person should rightly be punished if they had not been forgiven? Then you haven’t really forgiven them. Ultimately forgiveness is not only the release from guilt but also from just punishment.

Forgiveness (and unforgiveness) are so powerful and have such a profound effect on our souls, and especially our relationship with God, Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). Jesus went on to teach, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15). Even though we don’t deserve it, even though we are guilty and deserve only punishment, God has forgiven us as a result of the work of Jesus. Forgiveness is the basis for our relationship with God. For that reason, not extending forgiveness to someone else is literally a sin against God, and therefore separates us from God. Maybe we should begin by asking for forgiveness for the sin of unforgiveness, and then extending that miraculous, supernatural gift to others. Only in this way will we experience the newness that God has for us in this New Year. “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5).