Unforgiven Pain

I can think of no greater burden for an individual to carry in their heart than unforgiveness. It has been well said that unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping that someone else dies. One of the most provocative teachings in all of scripture is found in Matthew 18 when the apostle Peter asked Jesus how many times he needed to forgive someone who had sinned against him. Perhaps Peter was thinking of the old rule, Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me, or the three-strike rule? Whatever his number was, I would guess he was thinking that he was being generous when he said to Jesus, “seven times?” But Jesus said, “seventy times seven,” or in other words, an incalculable number of times. 

That just feels wrong to us. The idea of giving forgiveness to those who do not deserve it troubles our hearts. But the ability to forgive is evidence of the fact that we have been forgiven of our immeasurable debts. In response to Peter’s question, Jesus told a parable about a man who had been forgiven of a massive debt, who then turned and demanded payment from someone who owed him a substantial amount. The reader of the story immediately sees the flaw in the situation…the man who had been given amazing grace ought to be ready and willing to give amazing grace to others. Unfortunately, we are not always quick to forgive. 

In the famous “love chapter” of 1 Corinthians 13, there is a special phrase that I find particularly convicting. It says, love “keeps no record of wrongs.” If we are honest, we enjoy keeping a record of wrongs. We remember those sins others have done against us with clarity and precision. Admittedly, it is incredibly hard to forget the sins of others, but that is exactly what we are called to do by the one who forgave us so much more than we will ever be asked to forgive. 

This spring – as we work on doing a little soul searching, and soul cleaning – is a perfect time for us to consider whether we are drinking some of that nasty poison of unforgiveness. If we are, there is no better place than the foot of the cross to put that pain and allow His forgiveness to help us forgive others. Jesus declared during the horrors of the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!” What a wonderful truth for us to remember as we approach Easter.   

Expectantly, 

Shawn 

P.S. Please join me in praying for Sandra and Rick Fitz and their family, as they mourn the loss of her father, Earl Radke, who graduated to heaven last week. His obituary is here – a Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date.