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The Power of Forgiveness

In our time, when we think of the word forgiveness, one of the names that come to mind is Nelson Mandela, (who was imprisoned by the then apartheid South African authorities for about twenty seven years and later elected the first elected president of that nation in a fully racially-representative election) who has become an iconic symbol having adopted the attitude of forgiveness and reconciliation since his release from prison. This has lead to him receiving numerous awards from various institutions and organisations. Notable among which is the Noble peace prize in 1993.

When we look in the Bible, we also see instances of offence, hurt, pain, and forgiveness. A good example is that of Joseph who ended up in Egypt after being sold into slavery by his brothers. In chapter 45 of Genesis, we read of how Joseph forgave their offence against him after over two decades in slavery.

Another scenario can be found in Apostles Paul’s letter to Philemon in which he asked and beseeched Philemon to forgive Onesimus, a run-away slave who had stolen from Philemon his master. In both these cases mentioned above, we see the love of God coming through from the heart of those individuals who choose to forgive. In the case of Joseph especially, despite the untold and unimaginable hardship and pain he suffered, he was magnanimous in his act.

We all know that whilst it may be somewhat easy to expect forgiveness when the pain caused is only superficial, it is usually difficult to expect people to forgive when the hurt caused is deep rooted. This is more so when an apology has not been received for the crime or offence, let alone acknowledged. In which case, only the grace of God can serve to bring about the healing needed to overcome such pain.

Forgiveness can be defined as overlooking an offence, a transgression or a discourtesy, whereby the offender is exempted from paying the penalties for the offence or crime committed. But we find that no matter how deep seated the pain we experience from past hurts, nothing compares to the healing and liberating power of forgiveness. Below some truths you need to know about forgiveness.

1. Forgiveness heals all negative and destructive emotions. This usually includes bitterness and other consequences. A lack of forgiveness traps us in the past. It locks up our ability to love people. Lack of forgiveness sometimes leads to retaliation, which in turn brings the same guilt that the person who hurt you most probably feels. The gesture of forgiveness removes the desire for retaliation and the display of animosity towards the offending party. Other unhelpful emotions connected with unforgiveness are guilt on the part of the offender and anger on the part of the offended. In extreme cases, you have grief, anguish and depression. Forgiveness heals and releases us from all such emotional imprisonment.
2. Forgiveness helps to build and strengthen relationships. There is nothing quite like forgiveness that makes us more like our maker. From account of the Father and his two sons, (The story of the Prodigal son) in Luke 15:11 - 32, we learn an example how God the father forgives...willingly, compassionately, bountifully and completely. The story challenges us love as the father loves no matter how heinous the offence.
3. Forgiveness is a virtue to be desired. As Phillip Yancey puts it, "Forgiveness is another way of admitting, 'I'm human, I make mistakes, I want to be granted that privilege and so I grant you that privilege." Hence, forgiveness creates an atmosphere for genuine love to grow.
4. Forgiveness and Bitterness cannot dwell together. This is an important biblical/spiritual principle that helps us understand the need and value of forgiveness. In my experience, I find that the most highly spirited (Joyful) people tend to be forgiving people, i.e. they most probably have realised that they too are capable of whatever offence has been committed against them except for the grace of God.
5. Forgiveness paves the way for the favour of God and releases us from His judgment. We see in the Bible that as Jesus taught His followers how to pray, He showed them that God expected them to be forgive others. He intimated to them that forgiveness of others on our part leads us to receiving the forgiveness of God. (And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. ~ Matt.6:12-15). Though this does not relate to eternal forgiveness of God for sin, it is applies to the level of reward and blessing we get from God when we obey His will… to forgive.
   
   

Pastor Francis Obasogie.

This article has been adapted with the bi-centenary anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade in mind, as well as the Easter celebrations.
The author regularly speaks and writes on relationships i.e. Man’s relationship with Man and Man’s relationship with God.