2 minute read
T he art of forgiveness
The art of forgiveness
In Ephesians 4:22–32, Paul describes what it means to live a Christ-like life as a child of God. We are to “put off” our old selves, which have been put to death with Christ’s sacrifice, and “put on” our new selves. This idea applies to the art of forgiveness. Ver ses 31 to 32 lay out the steps to forgiveness: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” What do es this mean in practical terms? It means avoiding talk that fuels bitterness and resisting the temptation to harbour thoughts of revenge.
For example, we need to stop criticising siblings who are unwilling to help care for Mum, or thinking about how we can do less for Dad because he has not been grateful for our caregiving so far. In their place, we are to find kindness and gentleness. We are to forgive each other as Christ has forgiven us. Ultimately, forgiveness means having to examine and control our own actions and character. It means learning to lay down our martyrdom, bitterness and anger at the foot of the cross, so that we can don our new clothes from Christ—compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love. Consider the roots of forgiveness:
Compassion, which comes from knowing who we
are—heirs with Christ—and not from judging how others treat or regard us. As we forgive, we take on God’s perspective and character. Our hearts will then be stirred by concern for others as we begin to view them through the eyes of Jesus. Kindness in the way we treat everyone—and not because we like them. As we do so, we will find ourselves liking others more. We will start to perform acts of kindness with joy, motivated by the desire to serve out of love and glorify God.
Humility, which comes from time spent in prayer and service to others. When we are humble, we will be content to let God be responsible for changing others, and not try to force change ourselves. We will give out of the abundance of what God has given us, not simply because He requires us to.
Gentleness in our tone, as we communicate affirmation
through our body language and attitude.
Patience, as we learn to truly listen and give of ourselves, even when it’s painful and costs us something. Love, because we see ourselves standing among the worst of sinners at the foot of the cross, in need of the same forgiveness. Only then will we be able to pour out our love freely, expecting nothing in return.
Father, thank You for showing me the roots of forgiveness. Help me to humbly remember that I cannot forgive out of my own strength; I need Your divine transformation of my self, my character, and my life, so that I can learn to practise the same mercy and forgiveness that You have shown me.
Forgiveness is a transformation as well as an action.
