“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another, and forgiving one another; if anyone has a complaint against another, even as Christ forgave you, so must you also do.” Colossians 3:12-13

Practical Pardon

Many long years ago I was offended by a man in the church. I felt he had abandoned the people of the church in their darkest hour. It seemed to me he had cut and run. In my mind I was through with him and wanted no part of anything he represented. I was hurt by his actions.

It seemed God let me be mad for a while to pour out my emotions and let off steam. In due time, however, He made me look at my heart and gently reminded me that I needed to deal with my own issues of anger, resentment, and bitterness. In fact, I had to forgive him.

It was a struggle.

I reminded myself that I was forgiven by God. I had offended Him in so many ways so many times and yet in the midst of my mess He loved me and forgave me. And I knew because I was forgiven, I was expected to reflect that grace to others (Matthew 6:14). This was not a request. It was not optional. It was the instruction of a Father who forgave a debt I could not pay and He had a confident expectation that I would echo that grace and mercy to others.

“For You, Lord, are good and ready to forgive. And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You” (Psalm 86:5).

I submitted to the will of my merciful God and made a determined choice to forgive. I set aside anger and remembered God’s mercy.

Years and years passed. I was over it. Or was I? There came a day when this person called and wanted to meet for lunch. Oh, the feelings that arose in me! I wanted nothing to do with him. I had successfully avoided him all these years. It all arose up in me again.

God checked me. Forgiven? Then why this? Yes, I had forgiven in theory and in principle. I had genuinely let go of anger and did not speak harshly of the man. But now a deeper work was needed. This was a testing of that forgiveness, the truth and quality of it, the depth. This was the practical application of the forgiveness I had professed. It was time to walk out grace.

Paul the Apostle had been angry with John Mark when he deserted him and Barnabas on his first missionary journey. Yet in due time he forgave Mark and worked with him yet again in ministry (2 Timothy 4:11).

So I took a deep breath and met with the man and his wife for lunch. God revealed that even as I had been hurt, so had he been hurt. Those scars remained. I have a truer perspective now of how we all were affected by those difficult times. It makes it easier to let go. It ushers in fresh air and a sense of restoration.

The conclusion of the matter is that God is still God in me and that God is still God in him. He is a forgiven brother in the Lord and a servant of God. He is a fellow worker in the gospel of grace. Forgiveness brings healing. Forgiveness is worth the struggle.

“For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive. And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You (Psalm 86:5). Amen.”