Written by Brittany for Lent 2025.
Growing up, I was taught that forgiveness was a simple exchange, “I’m sorry” and “Ok, I forgive you”. Sometimes, if my siblings and I didn’t apologize genuinely enough the first time, my mom would clap her hands together like a film slate and call out “Take 2” reminding us to start the script again until we delivered the lines with sufficient conviction. I suppose this approach might reduce conflict in a busy household for a time, but it wasn’t until I was much older and deeply hurting that I realized I had missed the depth and divine challenge of true forgiveness.
There’s nothing performative or transactional about forgiveness actually. In fact, forgiveness doesn’t make much sense on paper. Forgiveness is deliberately choosing to give away or release your (often justified) hold on resentment or desire for revenge. Releasing our grip on bitterness allows us to heal and grow, and can even lead to better health outcomes. [see footnote link]
But, as followers of Christ, we are called to something far more profound than just letting go. We are instructed to “Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 13:3 NIV). That call is so much higher (and newsflash, truly does require supernatural grace). When God forgave us, He didn’t just wipe the slate clean, He paid the penalty for our sin and made a way for us to be in relationship with Him once again; a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). In the scripture readings for today, it is clear that Godly forgiveness requires, not just the canceling of someone’s debt, but extending God’s grace, compassion, kindness, and favor towards them.
But what about real injustice? What about deep wounds that go far behind sibling squabbles?
There are truly horrific things going on in the world, and we are called to… forgive? That can’t be right? Something about that didn’t sit well with me for a long time. But a breakthrough came when I was able to look at the cross and understand that God didn’t dismiss or simply cancel all the sin in the world, He paid for every bit of it out of His love for us. He is a God of justice and power who sees each and every wrong in His kingdom. I think the true ability to forgive as God forgives is to know who sits on the throne as the ultimate judge. As forgiven members of His kingdom, it is no longer our responsibility to avenge or take action on our own behalf. We are called to pursue justice, but we have the ability to forgive even the most detestable wrongs knowing that we are forgiven and that God will have the final say.
Forgiveness is an act of trust and an act of obedience, knowing that our God fights for us and can use even the most broken situation to reveal his glory, living into that truth allows us to extend grace and reconcile with others.
¶
footnote link: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/the-power-of-forgiveness
