A Reflection On Forgiveness

When I am harboring a grudge

Nursing resentments and harboring grudges is such a pitiful human tendency, and yet we have all done it. We let offenses—large and small, real and imagined—rob us of the joy God means for us to have. How can we possibly understand God’s forgiveness this way? When we focus on judgment and justice toward others, can we ever understand God’s mercy toward us? Do we really imagine that those who have sinned against us have sinned greatly, while our offenses against God are minor and easy for Him to overlook? If so, we have it backward. Our sins against God, no matter how small, are offenses against the eternal, infinite Being. They therefore required an eternal, infinite sacrifice. Offenses against us pale in comparison.

Far from being a legal prerequisite for our own forgiveness, Jesus’ command to forgive others prepares us to understand the gospel. The God of extravagant mercy asks us only to get a glimpse of His grace. Do you hold any grudges against others? Get a glimpse of God’s mercy by forgiving them.

Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.

Luke 6:37