Troy P Zehnder

Welcome to part 7, and the finale of my short series on forgiveness. I hope you’ve taken the time to read and evaluate. There are many people currently in prison, and on death row, who will see Jesus for eternity, and there will be some Christians who sit in church every Sunday who won’t because of that one little condition “Forgive us..AS WE forgive others.” Jesus spoke clearly that we are with him, or against him, he has no grey area. If we want forgiveness, we must let go of our grudges. Enjoy the reading.

Forgiveness is not a destination, a singular, definitive moment where we suddenly become free from the shackles of resentment and pain. It’s a journey, a continuous process of letting go, a daily practice of choosing love over
bitterness, and a persistent commitment to healing, both for ourselves and for those we have hurt or who have hurt us. Think of it like a winding path through a forest, with each step leading to a new perspective, a fresh understanding, and a renewed sense of freedom.

We often yearn for a quick fix, a magical solution that will instantly erase the pain and anguish of past hurts. We crave a definitive moment when we can pronounce the words, “I forgive you,” and be done with it. But forgiveness, much like the healing of a wound, takes time, patience, and consistent care. It’s a journey of grace, not a sprint to a finish line. There will be moments of progress, followed by setbacks, moments of joy, mingled with tears. This is the nature of the path, and embracing it is a crucial part of the process.

The journey of forgiveness is not linear. It’s not always a smooth ascent toward complete freedom from the past. It’s more like a series of valleys and peaks, with ups and downs, twists and turns. There will be times when the path feels too steep, the weight of hurt too heavy, the burden of anger too intense. This is where the grace of God comes in, offering us the strength to take another step, to forgive again, to choose love again.

Picture a gardener tending to a garden. He doesn’t expect the flowers to bloom overnight. He knows it takes time,
patience, and consistent care. He waters the plants, removes weeds, and protects them from harsh weather. He
understands that growth happens gradually, and he celebrates every bud and every blossom, knowing that the journey, not just the destination, is worth cherishing.

Similarly, forgiveness requires a conscious effort to nurture the growth of healing within our hearts. It requires daily watering with the love of God, weeding out the seeds of bitterness, and protecting ourselves from the storms of resentment. We must learn to appreciate the progress, even the small, seemingly insignificant steps forward, knowing that every act of forgiveness, every choice to let go, every effort to see the other person through God’s eyes, brings us closer to the freedom we seek.

But the path to forgiveness is not a solitary endeavor. We are not meant to walk it alone. God is our constant companion, offering his grace, his strength, and his unwavering love. He walks with us through the valleys, guides us through the peaks, and helps us navigate the twists and turns. He is the light that illuminates our path, the balm that soothes our wounds, the source of the love that empowers us to forgive.

The journey of forgiveness is a testament to the transformative power of God’s grace. It’s a demonstration of his unwavering love, his boundless mercy, and his unwavering desire to heal our brokenness. It’s a journey that leads us to a place of deeper peace, greater freedom, and a love that resonates with the very heart of God.

But forgiveness is not simply about forgetting the past. It’s not about ignoring the pain, the injustice, the betrayal. It’s about choosing to release the grip of the past, to choose to move forward, to choose to see the other person through the lens of grace. It’s about letting go of the anger, the resentment, the bitterness, and replacing them with compassion, empathy, and understanding.

Forgiving is not about condoning the offense, nor is it about minimizing the pain. It’s about recognizing that holding onto anger and resentment only hurts us in the end. It traps us in a cycle of negativity, robbing us of our peace, our joy, and our ability to move forward. Forgiveness sets us free, not from the memory of the offense, but from the power it had over us.

The journey of forgiveness is not always easy. It takes courage, humility, and a willingness to let go of the past. It takes trust, not just in God, but in our own ability to heal. It takes a commitment to love, even when it’s difficult, even when it’s painful. But the rewards of forgiveness are immeasurable. It opens us up to a deeper sense of peace, joy, and freedom. It allows us to experience the transformative power of grace, not only in our lives but in the lives of those we forgive. It helps us to break free from the chains of resentment, to heal our
wounds, and to live a life filled with love and compassion.

The journey of forgiveness is not a destination, but a lifelong commitment to love. It’s about choosing to see the good in others, even when it’s hard. It’s about choosing to extend grace, even when we don’t deserve it. It’s about choosing to love, even when it hurts.

As we embark on this journey, let us remember the words of Jesus, “Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do.” Let us allow God’s love to guide our steps, to heal our wounds, and to empower us to forgive, both ourselves and others. For in the act of forgiving, we become more like Christ, and we find true freedom and peace.

Reflecting Christs Love

The heart of Christ, brimming with compassion and grace, overflows with an inexhaustible wellspring of forgiveness. This boundless love, a testament to the divine nature, resonates within us, calling us to embrace a life of forgiveness. We are invited to become vessels of this love, reflecting its transformative power in our own lives and in the lives of those around us.

Think of the woman caught in adultery. The law demanded her death, a harsh punishment for her transgression. But Jesus, standing before her, did not condemn her. He looked upon her with compassion and said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more.” (John 8:11). This act of profound grace, a refusal to judge and a call to repentance, reflects the very essence of forgiveness. It’s an invitation to break free from the chains of guilt and shame, to embrace a new beginning.

This call to forgiveness isn’t simply a plea for sentimentality or a superficial act of forgetting. It’s a profound
transformation of the heart, a release from the bitterness and anger that can fester within us, poisoning our souls and hindering our ability to love freely. To truly forgive is to let go of the pain, the hurt, the desire for retribution, and to choose instead the path of healing and reconciliation.

Forgiveness isn’t about condoning the wrongdoings of others, nor is it about dismissing the pain inflicted. It’s about choosing to release the hold those wrongs have on our hearts, freeing ourselves from the shackles of bitterness and resentment. This choice requires a deep understanding of God’s love, a willingness to walk in his grace, and a commitment to extending that same grace to others.

The act of forgiveness is a powerful weapon against the enemy, against the darkness that seeks to divide us and extinguish the flame of love within our hearts. It’s a force that heals, a balm for the wounds of the soul. When we forgive, we choose to break the cycle of negativity, choosing instead to build bridges of understanding and compassion.

The path of forgiveness is often challenging, sometimes fraught with pain and internal struggles. The desire for
revenge, the need for justice, the anger that festers within, can all make it difficult to truly let go. But this is where faith comes into play, where the grace of God becomes our
strength. We must trust in His love, His ability to heal, and His promise of redemption. We must look to the example of Christ, who forgave even his persecutors from the cross, offering a love that knows no bounds.

Imagine a world where forgiveness is the norm, where the wounds of the past are healed by the balm of forgiveness. Where conflicts are resolved, not through retaliation, but through empathy and understanding. This is the world that we are called to create, a world where the love of God, expressed through our forgiving hearts, reigns supreme.

Embracing a life of forgiveness is not simply about being kind or doing good. It’s about transforming our very beings into reflections of Christ’s love, allowing his grace to flow through us and into the world. Forgiveness is an act of courage, an act of faith, and an act of love. It’s a choice we make every day, choosing to see the good in others, choosing to release the pain, and choosing to embrace the transformative power of forgiveness.

As we journey through life, we will undoubtedly encounter situations that challenge our ability to forgive. The betrayal of a loved one, the injustice of an offense, the deep wounds of the past, may all conspire to make forgiveness seem impossible. But remember that God’s love is a constant, a source of strength and resilience in the face of adversity.

When we feel overwhelmed by the weight of resentment or the struggle to forgive, turn to prayer. Ask God to guide you, to help you release the burdens you carry, and to fill your heart with his love. Seek the wisdom of scripture, read the stories of forgiveness, and find inspiration in the lives of those who have chosen to forgive despite the pain.

Forgiveness is a journey, not a destination. It’s a continuous process of growth, a constant striving to emulate Christ’s love. It’s a choice we make every day, a commitment to living a life of grace and compassion.

Let us choose to forgive, not for the sake of the offender, but for the sake of our own hearts. Let us choose to release the pain, the bitterness, the desire for revenge, and embrace the healing power of forgiveness. Let us choose to reflect the love of Christ, a love that forgives, a love that heals, a love that transforms.

Blessings,

Troy