“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12-14

Forgiveness is critical to our faith and life. To be able to move forward, to be free, to live the abundant life God has for us, we must learn to forgive. What a beautiful thing it is to forgive and to be forgiven.

Wendell Berry wrote a poem entitled ‘To My Mother.’ In this poem he acknowledges the great gift of forgiveness that his mother gave him. And he rightly connected this experience with the joy and blessedness of heaven. He writes:

“…And this, then,
is the vision of that Heaven of which
we have heard, where those who love
each other have forgiven each other,

where, for that, the leaves are green,
the light a music in the air,
and all is unentangled,
and all is undismayed.”

We are to forgive each other. People have hurt, offended and wounded us. Then we blame them for the pain we are experiencing – and our complaint may be legitimate. But in being bitter we only hurt ourselves. We are to forgive - Jesus gives us no other option. “…This is how my heavenly father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from the heart.” (Matthew 18:35)

We are, in a sense, to forgive God. Not literally – for God is not in need of our forgiveness. But subjectively, as we ‘blame’ God for our pain or disappointment, there is a time to let go of our anger and bitterness toward God. By doing so we trust in God and his goodness.

We are to forgive ourselves. Have you ever said to yourself, “How could I have been so stupid!” Perhaps we blame ourselves for the trouble in our lives – and legitimately so; or perhaps for the trouble in our children’s lives. We must extend to ourselves the same grace we extend to others – and that God extends to us. Somehow God works all things together for good. (Romans 8:28)

In stories we encounter the imagery of a ‘wraith;’ a ghost who is stuck in the past and cannot escape. And so they haunt houses, or roam in restlessness. Are we living as a ‘wraith?’ – stuck in the past, unable to move on, let go, and forgive? Jesus has made a way for us to live in true freedom.

The Answer is very simple as found in Colossians 3 - God forgave us, so we are able to forgive others. Jesus didn’t die on the cross for our sins so that we would continue to live in bondage. He helps us to be free from our own sin – and free to forgive others, just as we have been forgiven..

-Pastor Tim, May 13, 2007