Forgiveness

I have really been struggling through something recently. You want to know what it is? I'll let you know in a bit.

We are beginning a new series this coming Sunday; (i love semi colons) - it's called Building Hope. This concept has been stirring in my heart for months and I'm really looking forward to what God is going to do in us over the next month.

So back to forgiveness - you thought I'd forgot. I'm not struggling with forgiving someone, but rather with how the concept works when others don't repent. Think about this - when does God forgive us? He forgives us when we repent; until that time, He has an attitude of forgiveness towards us but is waiting on us to repent. That concept has me perplexed. We are to forgive others for when they harm and hurt us up to 70*7(don't do the math - if you do your being legalistic and missing the point). But what happens when others don't repent, how can we then forgive?

I believe it works more like this....We are to have an attitude of forgiveness at all times and even forgive others even when they don't repent. However, the intended end of forgiveness is reconciliation and a broken relationship is not reconciled until the cycle of forgiveness is complete. That cycle can' t be completed until repentance occurs. So, even though we have a heart of forgiveness towards all who offend; it's not complete unless they repent. And that is why we often feel a tension or struggle with those we haven't been able to reconcile with - because even though we have an attitude of forgiveness with them - the circle isn't repaired without the repentance and ultimate reconciliation. Often, I've struggled with this because I have forgiven others who haven't repented but still sense the unreconciled relationship. Now, here is the freeing part - if that is you - you've done your part - don't carry the burden of that unreconciled relationship - yes, pray for reconciliation, but don't' feel guilty or condemned.

I think the amazing thing in all of this is God's amazing grace to forgive us and give us a spirit of forgiveness towards others and ultimateley heal broken relationships.

Pastor Rich