You may ask, 'what does forgiveness have to do with spiritual growth and journey?' From my own personal experience, I can say EVERYTHING! Forgiveness granted to me and/or forgiveness flowing from me has opened up the clogged plumbing pipelines, so to speak. The forgiveness cleared out all the gunk and gook and allowed the cleansing of the Holy Spirit to flow freely.
Granted, it isn't all that simple, but maybe the analogy helps a little. There is freedom that flows from forgiveness!
How do I know that? How can I make such a statement? 'There is freedom that flows from forgiveness!' You may be asking, 'Really?' Yes, really!
God has been teaching me more and more about forgiveness. Along with the lessons on forgiveness have been lessons on grace and mercy for truly I have received more love than due me and spared/saved from destruction many a time.
I have had opportunities to forgive others in my life. Things that have happened, often without the other person knowing they had transgressed me in any way. By forgiving, I set both myself and them free.
I know I have done wrong to others, whether by omission or commission. And, I'm sure there have been some that have forgiven me. And, there are some who may not have yet forgiven me. It is my heart's desire to make things right as much as possible with all people.
Next to God's forgiveness in my life, the biggest example I have of forgiveness is someone to whom I am eternally grateful. She extended the branch of forgiveness to me when she could have taken the opportunity to hold a grudge or much, much more. This act of forgiveness gave freedom and healing to us both. It has been a blessing beyond words and has allowed a relationship to grow. In truth, I believe that it not only has allowed my relationship with her to grow, but it has allowed me to grow spiritually.
Choosing to forgive is just that, it is a choice. A choice that frees us from the bitterness, pain, hurt, and resentment while freeing the other person from condemnation.
Marjorie Thompson put it this way: "To forgive is to participate in the mystery of God's love." (during the presentation at the 5 day academy, 10/20/10)
There is so much more to say about forgiveness. About how forgiveness is NOT forgetting, how forgiveness is a process of healing, about accepting forgiveness and forgiving ourselves so that we can forgive others.
I encourage you to search out God's Word on forgiveness. Here are three Scriptures that mention the topic. See what else you find. Look it up in other versions. Check out an online source such as http://www.biblegateway.com/ or http://www.textweek.com/ or http://www.blueletterbible.org/. You can read the verses in different versions and/or search for the term "forgiveness", depending on the site. There are also other resources at each location.
Matthew 6:14-16 (NIV)
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
We also forgive so that our prayers will not be hindered:
Mark 11:25 (NIV)
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
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I encourage you to check out the additional resources that Marjorie Thompson shared with us. I've listed them at the bottom of the blog for this entry.
I encourage you to reflect on the topic of forgiveness and how it strikes you today. What are your experiences with forgiveness or unforgiveness? What action steps do you need to take toward having a healthier relationship with God, yourself, and others through the spiritual pathway of forgiveness?
Just like those scrubbing bubbles, it does take work. The scrubbing bubbles work very hard to clean out the gunk, grime, and gook. They have cleansing power. How's your forgiveness muscle? Does it need some work?
As you go through the journey of forgiveness, I promise you this: Shedding resentment births freedom! May you live into the freedom!
~Debra
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Some additional resources on "forgiveness" from Marjorie Thompson:
Why Forgive? Johann Christoph
Forgiveness: The Passionate Journey, Flora Wuellner
Weavings Journal "Forgiveness"
Forgiving Your Family: A Journey to Healing, Kathleen Fisher
Forgiven and Forgiving, William Countryman
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