Is it too much to suggest that forgiveness is a key ingredient for renewal? Notice how forgiving is one of the items that Jesus calls for us to include at a “good measure.”

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:37-38, ESV)

Maybe you haven’t noticed, but the focus of Scripture lies in the attitude of the forgiver, not in the terms of forgiveness. Rather than waiting for the one who has wronged us, we are to seek the offender and try to get resolution one-on-one (Matthew 18:15ff). As in the teaching of Jesus in Luke 6 (quoted above) or the instructions for dealing with the brother/sister who sins against you, the consistent emphasis of biblical exhortation is on the forgiver doing so freely, generously, willingly, and (of great importance) from the heart.

One example of this sort of forgiveness is found in the story of Stephen (Acts 7:54ff). Luke writes “as they were stoning Stephen,” at the same moment that large rocks were buffeting his body, he found enough strength to forgive his murderers. The forgiveness was both spontaneous and immediate: And falling to his krembrandt_steniging_stefanus_grtnees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). Notice also that despite the trauma of the stoning, Luke portrays Stephen as simply falling asleep; a strange image combining violence and peace. Can you even imagine how Stephen’s act of forgiveness might have affected you?

The human tendency is to pray for vengeance. In fact, such is seen in the death of the Old Testament prophet Zechariah, which provides an interesting contrast with that of Stephen. Like Stephen, Zechariah was stoned. But notice the obvious difference in his dying prayer. Because Zechariah spoke strongly about how the people were breaking the commandments of God, the king ordered his stoning. The chronicler notes: “Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness that Jehoiada, Zechariah’s father, had shown him, but killed his son. And when he was dying, he said, “May the Lord see and avenge!” (2 Chronicles 24:22) Yes, Zechariah recognized that vengeance belonged to God and he left the matter in the hands of God, but he didn’t seek forgiveness.

For Christians, as we attempt to proclaim the Gospel message, the bar has been raised. As one writer put it, “…there is a higher cause than vengeance to plead for—forgiveness and reconciliation with those who persecute us.” A passage that causes real struggles for many (myself included) is Jesus admonition, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27–28). Once again, Christ gave us the example to follow when, as he was on the cross he was able to look up and pray for the forgiveness of those who had crucified him, as well as those who were mocking. Stephen obviously understood the message.

Forgiveness is an important part of the process of spiritual renewal.  Paul would write to the Christians at Colossae, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.” (Colossians 3:12-15, ESV)

As has already been stated above, forgiveness certainly does not come naturally. In fact, forgiveness is often frustrated by negative emotions, such as lingering resentment and/or anger. Sometimes we convince ourselves that we cannot forgive because we do not “feel” like forgiving – and far too often we allow our feelings to control us. But forgiveness is not a feeling. Forgiveness involves a deliberate choice that often runs contrary to our feelings. Our bitter emotions tell us to dwell on an offense. In contrast, forgiveness is a voluntary, rational decision to set the offense aside and desire only the best for the offender. In fact, the writer of Hebrews tells us that those who dwell on the bitter feelings find forgiveness does not come easily. Instead, the root that springs up is a defiling influence that is hurtful not only to the bitter person, but to many others as well (Heb. 12:15).

Forgiveness results in the renewal that comes when burdens are lifted. To grant someone forgiveness when a person asks to be forgiven (repents) is to lift the burden of guilt from that person. But to forgive when forgiveness is not sought brings renewal to the forgiver.  It is then that we can enjoy the blessings of our heavenly Father, who promises to pour into our laps a “good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over” (Luke 6:38).

By the way, I needed to work through the information in this blog. So I thought I would share it with those of you who are also struggling to forgive. May we together allow the peace of Christ to rule in our hearts!