Hopefully making theology simpler to understand! (2 Corinthians 1:12)

Forgiveness is such an important topic and yet it is perhaps one of the hardest to not only grasp, but articulate. However, nearly two decades ago I heard a pastor being interviewed about a book he had written on forgiveness, and the interviewer asked “What is the primary way you know that you have totally forgiven someone?” The pastor replied simply “When you can sincerely wish them well and ask God to bless them.”

The moment I heard this, it’s as if I had just received a little treasure, for all of us have people who have hurt us, some very deeply, and it’s even more important for us to forgive, than it is for them to receive it. At that moment, I integrated that nugget of wisdom into my life and it has helped me on the path of forgiveness throughout the years. The Pastors’ name is R.T. Kendall and his book is called “Total Forgiveness.” It should be, in my opinion, required reading for every Christian.

Something I have encountered in life is that forgiving is particularly difficult when the hurt is perpetrated by someone who should know better, such as a pastor. They should know better, but clearly they do not, which is why Jesus said regarding the Jewish leaders who sneered at him upon the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Even though they should have known better, they did not, and regardless of the fact that they should have known better, Jesus still asked the Father to forgive them.

Some hurts are so painful that we have buried them deep down in our hearts so that we don’t feel the pain, but that doesn’t fix it. When you bury things in your heart, whether it’s unforgiveness, sin, emotions, etc., there is less and less room for Jesus. What have you buried in your heart? Who do you need to forgive?

About Jesse Walker