In Colossians 3:13 we read:

Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

We often talk about the unconditional love we freely received through the grace of God. It is easily said but in fact really hard to do. It (forgiveness) is hard to give but also hard to receive. How many times have I found myself striving to accomplish different tasks for God – rather than doing them with God. This is a revelation I had with the help of a brilliant book I have recently read. It is called: “Nothing to prove by Jennie Allen”. Can totally recommend it, and I am sure that everyone should read it. Pure gold. Back to the topic. 

Summary: It is hard to love unconditionally but for us human beings even harder to receive without our striving for success of our own achievement. A few weeks ago, God reminded me that I also have received His forgiveness without any effort of mine. He does not want us to work for it – He wants for us to stop, repent, accept Him and then change. In short: to come closer to His heart. That is all. No burnt offering, no fasting – nothing. He might talk to you that there is something you can or should let go of but as a matter of fact, there is no effort which could gain His forgiveness. 

In Colossians 3:13 it is said that we must forgive, as the Lord has forgiven us. Can you think of any condition, except from accepting Him, which would ensure you His forgiveness? No? Me neither. But why is our forgiveness often linked with an apology, a lot of words, you must not do it again, I need my time or many more conditions we have. We (yes, also me) have made forgiveness conditionally. 

A girl who was raped several times in her life and who tried to kill herself over 13 times, once said to me: “Besides the fact that I survived – and I really tried everything to kill myself – the only thing which could help me to find back into living my life, was forgiving my rapists.” Looking into those honest and healed eyes, I totally believed that she was healed. It was even more impressive that the only thing she mentioned that could help her, was something we so often refuse to do. 

Take a look at the word forgiveness one more time. What do you see? forGIVEness. In my opinion it is something we mostly should give to ourselves and secondly should give to the other person. Without any condition, hate, memories or thoughts of the future. In Greek the word forgiveness (used in this verse) means* xarízomai (“favor that cancels”) and is used to speak of how God offers His grace freely. This is freely done and therefore not based on any merit of the one receiving forgiveness.

Have you counted the times you were in need of God’s forgiveness? Were you forgiven? Was it your decision that His forgiveness made you free? Do you have to do anything else to receive His forgiveness again? No. YOU ARE FORGIVEN. But because of His grace we thank Him and repent to be reminded of His grace and love which we have also received freely. 

Can you see the analogy?

If you can think of at least one person who you should forgive, I want to encourage you to do so. 

If you can think of a person where you should ask for forgiveness to restore a friendship or relationship – GO!

Last but not least. Start with receiving forgiveness for yourself. 

Photo by Levi XU on Unsplash