Spiritual guidance powered by AI and grounded in Scripture
Your Question:
Can forgiveness truly set us free from the weight of our past?
Answer:
As a pastor, I've seen firsthand the weight of the past bearing down on people's lives. Forgiveness is not a one-time event, but a process that requires effort and commitment. When we choose to forgive, we're not forgetting what happened, but rather releasing the hold it has on us. This is a crucial distinction, as forgiveness doesn't mean excusing or justifying the sin, but rather not holding it against the person who committed it. The cost of forgiveness is not to be taken lightly. As the passage from Lewis Smedes notes, forgiveness is a divine miracle of grace that comes at a great cost. The price of forgiveness was paid at Calvary, where God's holiness and justice were upheld while still extending mercy and love to humanity. This is why forgiveness is not automatic, but rather requires confession, repentance, and a turning towards God. In my own life, I've seen the power of forgiveness to set us free from the weight of our past. As a husband and father, I've had to learn to forgive my wife and children for their mistakes and shortcomings. It's not always easy, but it's a necessary part of living in relationship with others. By choosing to forgive, we're not only releasing the other person from our judgment, but also freeing ourselves from the bitterness and resentment that can consume us.
Sources:
introduction biblical ethics
robertson mcquilkin
my utmost for his highest
oswald chambers
psalms
tremper longman
sacred marriage
gary thomas
christian theology
millard erickson
acts
r c sproul
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