Forgiveness: A Gift I Give Myself
“The person who doesn’t love does not know God, because God is love. This is how the love of God is revealed to us: God has sent his only Son into the world so that we can live through him “ I John 4:8-9
The verses of I John 4:8-9 emphasize the role of love in forgiveness while exalting the greatest act of forgiveness performed by God, who is love. The verses also allude to the fact that when we fail to forgive, it’s a sign of lacking a relationship with God. The power of love is evident in forgiveness, as it overlooks both current and past wrongdoings, allowing the effect of love to be experienced in any circumstance and setting the tone for the future. When we forgive, we not only reveal our knowledge of God in our relationship but also exhibit the true essence of God, which is love.
The decision to forgive cleanses us from the root of bitterness, allowing divine healing virtues to flow. As a result of practicing forgiveness, we gain healing, which provides a sense of peace to move forward, whether or not it involves the restoration of the offender in our lives. Forgiving is not a matter of forgetting the offense, but of how we respond to the offender after the offense. Do we counter the offense with retaliation or with love? Forgiveness does not ignore offenses but addresses them from a place of love. Forgiveness never withholds the love that is due. Everyone’s debt to mankind ought to be love (Romans 13:8). For love is the ruling force that causes us to extend mercy despite the inadequacies that we all have among our strengths. The lack of forgiveness keeps us in bondage in the same manner as excessive debt in the natural world. It’s only in allowing love to flow that we become debt-free in the midst of offenses.
“The love of God is always revealed in us when we endeavor to forgive the source of our offenses.”_ASA
Chronicles of ASA 