Unlocking Freedom: The Power of Radical Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a challenging journey, especially when the wounds are deep. Corrie ten Boom's story exemplifies this struggle. After the war in a German church while she was giving a talk, she faced a former Nazi guard who had caused her immense pain. With hand held out and eyes locked, she found herself unable to forgive. In that moment, she prayed for strength, and God's love enabled her to extend forgiveness. She later reflected, "It was not my forgiveness, I had none, but God's."
Jesus calls us to forgive not just once, but repeatedly. In Matthew 18:21-22, when Peter asked if forgiving someone seven times was sufficient, Jesus responded, "I tell you, not as many as seven, but seventy times seven." This isn't about keeping count; it's about embracing a heart of limitless forgiveness.
Forgiveness isn't about condoning the wrong done to us. It's about releasing the hold that bitterness and resentment have on our hearts. It’s about being set free from the prison cell locked from the inside. As Corrie ten Boom said, "Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart." Even when we don't feel like forgiving, we can choose to forgive, trusting God to work in our hearts.
Jesus provides his Matthew 18 Forgiveness Formula in Matthew 18:15-17:
Go Directly: Address the issue privately with the person who has wronged you.
Bring Others: If they don't listen, take one or two others along to help mediate.
Involve the Church: If they still refuse to listen, bring the matter to the church leadership or entire congregation when applicable and necessary.
Establish Boundaries: If reconciliation isn't possible, it's appropriate to set boundaries while maintaining a heart of forgiveness.
Forgiveness is a journey that requires God's strength. It's probably never easy, but it's the path for true freedom and peace as we model Christ to those we live among. As we forgive others, we also reflect the forgiveness God has extended to us (see Romans 5:8).
Scripture
"I tell you, not as many as seven," Jesus replied, "but seventy times seven." Matthew 18:22 CSB
Prayer
Father we struggle to forgive and need your strength to do it. Help us reflect your forgiveness of us and forgive others no matter how we may feel. Help us live your Gospel by imaging Christ each day. In Jesus name Amen.
Watch Corrie ten Boom’s story of forgiveness here.
God bless you… go be and make disciples!
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