Here’s a good list with which to start the week:
- Bitterness is not an acceptable option for followers of Christ.
- A desire to get even is also not a Christ-like option.
- Our Lord gives us reason to want to be at peace with those who have harmed us.
- Although forgiving those who harm us is difficult, it is possible, by faith.
- Real forgiveness requires the grace and Spirit of God working in and through us.
- There are times to follow Jesus’ example when, from the Cross he prayed, “Father forgiven them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”
- The New Testament does make statements that sound like we should always forgive–- unconditionally.
- Under some conditions withholding forgiveness can be very unbecoming to a follower of Christ.
- God will have issues with us if we withhold forgiveness from those who acknowledge their wrongs and ask for our forgiveness.
- When we acknowledge our sin and believe in Christ we are forgiven of the legal punishment for all past, present, and future sins. What remains is relational, family forgiveness that John talks about when he says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9).
- Sometimes it is no longer possible for the person who has wronged us to say, “I’m sorry.”
- Sometimes disagreements about forgiveness are a matter of semantics.
In other words, the answer to the question above is, “No, there is never a time to withhold forgiveness.”
