Seeking Forgiveness
Part Two
When you hurt someone, asking for forgiveness is essential.
Matthew 5:23-24
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. “(NIV)
In this scripture, we are commanded to seek out and offer up forgiveness, even before entering into a time of worship. Forgiveness is the most important act in scripture. It is the purpose in the death burial and resurrection of Christ. It is the reason for salvation. Although it is a seemingly common theme in scripture, it is also one of the hardest to attain from people. Forgiveness does require a bit of humility for the giver and the recipient. It requires an unequivocal amount of heart, and a level of sincerity found nowhere else. It requires a certain amount of trust between the two parties.
Accepting forgiveness from someone is a true act of faithful worship. It requires that bit of humility and a grateful heart in knowing someone has forgiven you. It requires you to say “thank you” humbly. It may require you to let go of the shame and regret that you place upon yourself. Being forgiven is a gift and a welcome one. Having someone approach you with it is an honor to your soul, and should be treated as such. Being forgiven by another person is a big deal because this means you are both able to look past emotion and do what Christ expects of you, in an obedient fashion.
Asking for forgiveness does not exclude you from the consequences of your actions. Being forgiven is one thing, being released from consequences is a different matter. It does demonstrate strength over weakness and requires repentance and confession. Having someone honor your relationship by offering up forgiveness to you is an experience in itself. It happens without grudge; there is no holding on to the infraction. There is only letting go and moving forward.
Repairing the relationship will take more than the actual forgive me conversation. It will take time and rebuilding of trust, maybe on a new level for you both. It may also be something the hurt party is not interested in. Come back for our last post in this series, where we discuss what happens when forgiveness is not granted or received.