Forgiveness: what is it?

Hannah Hurnard wrote the following in Walking Among the Unseen.

   “Just one more thing ─ never refuse to forgive. Forgiveness is the mightiest power of all, and you must joyfully practice it continually. It means willingness to bear everything that other people do to you, and to loose them in your thoughts from the wrong that they have done to you or spoken about you. When you loose the wrongdoer in your own thoughts, you will find, first, that you have loosed yourself from unhappy and harmful emotions, so that instead of being hurt, you will be blessed. But if you do not forgive men their debts, you will be bound to resentful, angry, grudging feelings which harm you. Remember ─ your reactions to your enemy can hurt you more than your enemy can.

   …Why did Jesus allow himself to be crucified? No one could have done it if he had not allowed it… Why did he believe so clearly that he must give his life?

   So that he could reveal, and triumphantly demonstrate, the truth that God bears and forgives the very worst that men can do, and that this is the only successful method of dealing with evil. Bear it and share in all its consequences with those who commit the wrong. Forgive them, love them, as Christ forgave and loved. Divine forgiveness, the greatest power in the universe, can be a force in us.” Pg 18, 38

Additional Resources

¨      Boundaries Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

¨      Forgiveness Malcolm Smith

¨      The Gift of Forgiveness Dr. Charles Stanley

 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:13-14

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13

“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Matthew 6:12

“…without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Hebrews 9:22