SOME PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF FORGIVENESS

“To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.” (Luke 6:29–30)
The power of forgiveness makes it possible for us to do these obviously difficult things like turning the other cheek, giving willingly to those who have wrongfully taken from us or showing kindness to others after our trust had been betrayed once.

If we were bitter and unwilling to forgive the first strike we would not put ourselves in such a vulnerable situation as to give the other person the opportunity to strike us on the other cheek. If we did not forgive a person who wrongfully took our cloak, we would be unwilling to give them our tunic should we find them having need of it. Because we are willing to forgive those who make away with our goods, we will not close our hearts and withhold from others who beg from us that which is in our power to do for them.

In this fallen world offences come quite readily, but our willingness to forgive because of the love of God in our hearts free us up to obey God and give expression to love, and be different by the power of the Holy Spirit.

You are who God says you are. Do not permit the things that people do alter your perception of who you are and your attitude toward them. To forgive and to love unconditionally is your nature as is the nature of God your Father. No external factor or event should cause you to differ.

When, through unwillingness to forgive, you give offences against you the impetus, they will harm you and continue to do so for the rest of your life. The greatest benefit of forgiveness does not go to the receiver of it but to you the giver – “It is more blessed to give than to receive” the Bible tells us. Do not permit bitterness to destroy your life.

Forgiveness is liberating and empowering for the one who forgives. Through forgiveness you take back the initiative for the course of your life and break every emotional link you have made to the hurt which has driven you thus far; and by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit refuse henceforth to be controlled and held back by the wrong that had been done to you or any future wrong you may experience.

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