By Tom Shanklin

Forgiveness is one the greatest and most freeing of all Christian graces. Perhaps the preeminent example of forgiveness can be seen by Jesus at Calvary as He prayed for those who had nailed Him to the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34, NKJV)

The first martyr, Stephen, followed suit with a prayer for the crowd around him, as he was stoned to death, “Lay not this sin to their charge.” Those receiving his prayer included early church persecutor, Saul of Tarsas, who later was converted and became the Apostle Paul. Could it be that Stephen’s prayer played a part in the mercy which the Lord showed to Saul/Paul on the road to Damascus, as He revealed Himself to him?

One of the greatest examples of forgiveness in the Old Testament is Joseph, who forgave his brothers who had thrown him into a pit and sold him into slavery. “Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither,” Joseph told his brothers, “for God did send me before you to preserve life. Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.” (Genesis 45:5,15, KJV)

The English poet, Alexander Pope (1688-1744) is credited with the quotation, “To error is human, to forgive divine.” I’m not sure if Alexander Pope was a Christian, but regardless his theology was good. The tendency to error (or sin) is inherent in the human race, and the ability to forgive most certainly comes from God. In Matthew 18, Jesus gives us a great lesson on forgiveness concerning a man who owed a king a great sum of money.

“Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. “And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. “But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. “The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, `Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ “Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. (Matthew 18:23-27, NKJV).

Some sources say that each talent, if it was gold, would be worth about $29,000 in US money. This would make the man’s debt approximately $290,000,000. If it were silver, it would be $19,000,000. In either case, paying the debt would be impossible. The King, of course, is our heavenly Father, who has forgiven us a great debt through His Son, Jesus Christ. We had an overwhelming mountain of debt because of sin. We deserved an awful judgment. But God sent His Son, to pay the penalty for our sins in substitution. Through Him our sins are forgiven and our bill is marked “PAID IN FULL.”

God’s mercy is so much more awesome when we realize that before we came to Christ, we were enemies of God and rebels. As it says, But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8, NKJV).

Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the shackles of life. For the sinner, it is God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ that gives a brand new life and enables one to stand in the presence of Holy and Just God without guilt or condemnation, regardless of our past sins. When we receive Christ as our Savior and Lord, all is forgiven and forgotten and we are “accepted in the beloved.” How wonderful to know that God accepts us, just as if we had never sinned, all because of Jesus Christ. That is the message of the cross of Calvary. To those of us who are saved the cross is the power of God. But the message of forgiveness does not end here. God wants to continue His work of forgiveness not only TO us, but also THROUGH us.

“But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, `Pay me what you owe!’ “So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, `Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ “And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. “So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. “Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, `You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. `Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ “And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” (Matthew 18:28-35, NKJV)

Now a hundred denarii, according to sources, is about $15 in US funds. Imagine this, the fellow who had just been forgiven a multi-million dollar bill by his creditor, goes out and demands payment for this penny ante bill. He took the man by the throat and demanded payment. The man begged for forgiveness, but to no avail. He was imprisoned over a $15 debt. When the King heard of it, he became angry, and threw the first man into prison where he was tormented until he paid the full amount of his original debt.

Now the question is, how many people are being “tormented” because of unforgiveness in their heart? They have been wronged, hurt, treated improperly in life. They have suffered physical, mental, verbal or sexual abuse. Undeniably, many of us have been hurt and treated horribly in life-sometimes in childhood, or in a marriage, in some cases even in the church. But there comes a time we must move on and forgive our offenders, rather that live under the torment of animosity, grief, sorrow, holding deep-seated grudges against those who have wronged us.

This torment comes in the form of depression, anxiety, anger, frustration and chronic nervousness. Bitterness is a cruel cancer. I wonder how many cases of debilitating mental and emotional problems could be cured by one simple word? Forgive!

Many times we are worn out trying to keep up these inward wars and are greatly hindered and defiled in our relationship with God. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; (Hebrews 12:14-15, NKJV)

Anger is a normal human emotion and is given to us by God as a protection. However, longterm anger, grudges and bitterness are extremely unhealthy and counter productive.

Why not get free of this mess? Give up those grudges, whether it be against a father or mother, a brother or sister, a church member or a minister, someone who has hurt you. Don’t spend your life waiting for an apology that most likely will never come. It’s time to let go and let God heal your heart and give you a new beginning. Unforgiveness is blocking your blessings and keeping you from receiving God’s best in your life. Many people have received a tremendous release in their spiritual life by forgiving someone who has hurt them deeply. Their entire life and perspective has changed as they “from their heart” forgave.

Forgiveness can lead to restoration of fellowship and healing of relationships. However, for that to happen, the other party must be ready. Also, in some cases, it may not be safe, healthy or wise to restore a relationship, for example, in the case of an abusive or violent person. In other cases, the person is who has hurt you is dead, but there is still a need to get free of bitterness and anger. The primary issue is “forgiving from the heart.” When you truly forgive, you gain power.

In some cases, we may even be holding a grudge against God, who we blame with allowing some evil to take place in our lives. In this situation, we need a revelation of the goodness of God. He is the answer and not the problem. Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10, NKJV). The devil is the one that’s ripping you off. Jesus came to give you abundant life.

Sometimes, the person we need most to forgive is ourselves. We keep beating ourselves up over some previous error, living in the reruns of the past, flogging ourselves over and over again. It’s time to forgive yourself and go on. Your self-flagellation is not honoring to God, who paid a great price through the blood of Jesus to set you free.

But you say, “I can’t. I just can’t get free of these ‘feelings.'” Well, then, do it by faith. Forgiveness is first of all a decision, not an emotion. Your emotions will keep leading you astray as long as you live. . . if you let them. You have to make these important decisions from the heart, whether it be to forgive, to love, or to trust and obey God. You do it from the heart-by faith. It’s a decision. The emotions will come along later. Just decide. Your decision is the engine. Your feelings are the caboose. Quit carrying all that baggage around. Then trust God to give you the grace to release forgiveness. Now is the time. Forgive! Receive forgiveness! Get free and go on!