Forgive... to Live

Why do we as Christians so easily succumb to replacing the glory of God with some earthly trinket that satisfies for but a moment? Do you ever think about it? I mean it doesn't have to be the worse sin imaginable, just the simple things or emotions of our lives, like movies, activities, other people, rest, pre-occupation, texting, e-mail, or pride. For me it seems the worst right after church. You know, I'm just out of Sunday service and am well aware of the last few hours of the weekend to do with whatever I wish before the next work week begins. Instead of studying the sermon further or just reading the Word together with my wife in prayer, I begin wondering what entertainment I could make of all this personal free time. While we could dive deep into this particular topic exploring issues such as consumerism, post-modernism, and lack of spiritual discernment, I want to look at another possible and perhaps more misunderstood cause of this effect of neglect and supplanting God's glory and it's subsequent healthy benefits.
                                         

                                              Forgiveness.

That's right, forgiveness or rather, the lack thereof. Did you know that it is the least preached upon topic in all of the historical, post-apostolic church? Why is that?  Is it because it is viewed as unimportant? That should not be surprising with the rampant neglect of sound, Biblical doctrine as it is. Is it because the enemy keeps his guns directed most on it? It would seem so, if it is so suppressed. The fact is, scripture speaks directly to forgiveness being that which restores us to foundational life in Christ Jesus, both in what He does for us and how we react to Him and to others.

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”  Colossians 3:13

We even see Christ say something so astounding as to try the intellect of many a theologian.

 "And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,  until he should pay all his debt.  So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” Matthew 18:34-35

Hmm..seems that if there is no evident forgiveness from us toward others it raises serious questions about even our own salvation. This should give us cause to dwell long and hard upon what God says about forgiveness and meditate on those places in Holy Writ which expound the doctrine of forgiveness.


Dare I say that it might be because of a lack of forgiveness in your life that the very glory of God is being obscured from your view. Could it be that unforgiveness is causing you to find substitutes for God and thereby robbing you of the unimaginable joy that comes from simply taking joy in Christ's joy? Certainly, if you harbor unforgiveness or perhaps are unforgiven, then you will seek to placate your conscience with stimulation that blinds you from God. It is not that watching a movie, busying yourself about the house, or taking pride in something is necessarily bad, it is that you are doing these things NOT unto the glory of God, but in fact in an attempt to satiate your soul.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

Call me crazy, but I am convinced we are unable to do things unto the Glory of God if there are feelings of unforgiveness in our hearts or even in the hearts of those around us directed at us. Recently, I have had my own encounters with forgiveness. I ashamedly laid a heavy burden upon someone whom I hold very dear. It was unnecessary and revealed my sin nature. This precious person chose to forgive me. The conviction and motivation toward Godliness that this generated was extremely powerful. I cherish what God has done through this trial.
On the flipside, there is a certain history involving financial disagreements and a broken friendship that God has been bringing me to deal with these last few weeks. There is no question that I am liable, the disagreement is how much. There is no question that matters should be resolved, however the other party has shown his carnal nature in the way he has handled it. It has been difficult and stressful indeed to even think on this matter as well as see a professing Christian acting un-Christlike toward me. While I am a party to the problem, he was a friend and now harbors unforgiveness toward me, and while this will weigh most heavily on his own heart, it certainly makes for unpleasant and downright depressing feelings in mine. My utmost desire is to handle the matter as much like Christ as possible as I pray it is his as well.
Big issues aside, even the smallest thing can cause upset. Just getting mad at your spouse and letting it go on unchecked can easily become a mountain of problems. What a relief it is to just say, "I forgive you." Even if it is in your own heart before the other even knows you are mad....in fact that is the best time! In truth, there are no words sweeter than, "I forgive you."  Do you mean it? Yes, I forgive you.

Does forgiveness mean that we let people off the hook? Sometimes, but not always, and certainly never in the eternal sense... I mean it certainly does where God is concerned. When He forgives sin it is a complete absolution of the debt. Does forgiveness mean that we throw reason and truth out the window? Never.

It does mean that we will reap huge harvests of benefits in our own lives and in the lives of those around us.

The love of God compels us to forgive others and to love them in truth and spirit. Forgiving them does not mean you absolve them of guilt, just as loving them in spirit and truth does not mean sacrificing truth for the sake of unity.

                                                                                 
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Ephesians 1:7-10

We can and indeed must be truthful when we forgive or receive forgiveness. Letting go of ill will toward others and remaining true to God is evidence of His Lordship in your life. Only God alone will preserve within you the truth and life God Himself has provided. At the same time, it is ecstasy indescribable that propels you to fight and stand for the principles and Godly valor laid before you and in so doing keeps you within the veil of God's good grace. It is the way that He has orchestrated things that forgiveness is the balm that heals and the plan that provides for us the foundation of life. Anything else is just show tunes.The most important thing to realize is that all of it is for the Glory of God, and if it is for His Glory then you will get the most extreme joy and pleasure because God is the most supreme being in existence and when He glorifies Himself, His children reap an unending abundance of joy!


A younger brother in the Lord, Jacob, said this,
"The true heart of Man (i.e. the Image of God) and therefore the true heart of the Christian (i.e. the redeemed Image of God) is eager expectation of joy and glory around every corner of this life- in spite of it's corruption. The man in love with God is too happy to fold under "the fall", but rather- as if spitting in the face of Sin- rises triumphantly after every blow, to passionately continue the adventure."

That is an amazing quote. I have to ask myself, am I harboring unforgiveness enough to blind me from my one true love of Christ Jesus? Is there anything at all that hinders me from day to day that is a deeper cause of all my supposed symptoms, and if so is there anything more foul than unforgiveness? What in my life needs to be given to God and left at His feet so that I may experience the true heart of Man and the true heart of the Christian, spitting in the face of sin and rising triumphant to press onward toward the goal?

Oh Christian, do not be deceived. There lies in our hearts dark spots of ill will toward men because we are sinful by nature and totally depraved. Target these places I say, and throw off the smothering vines of complacency! Be about your Father's business ,and obey His wise commands! Rejoice in the joy of Christ, and rise to fight for that very joy!

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!

2 O Lord, hear my voice!

Let your ears be attentive

to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,

O Lord, who could stand?

4 But with you there is forgiveness,

that you may be feared.

5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,

and in his word I hope;

6 my soul waits for the Lord

more than watchmen for the morning,

more than watchmen for the morning.

Psalm 130:1-6