UNCONDITIONAL FORGIVENESS
Luke 23:34a
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Check out the lesson linked below to understand better how awful the crowd, the soldiers and Pilate treated Jesus. Do you think that the bulk of the people present at Jesus’ trial, sentencing and execution deserved to be forgiven?
Forgiveness is tricky. We think we understand forgiveness. How would you answer the following true/false statements?
1. A person should not be forgiven until he asks for it.
2. Forgiving includes minimizing the offense and pain caused.
3. Forgiveness includes restoring trust and the relationship.
4. You haven’t really forgiven until you’ve forgotten the offense.
5. When you see someone hurt, you must forgive the offender.
All five statements are Biblically false!
How correctly did you respond?
Real forgiveness is unconditional, with no strings attached. Forgiveness is never earned. No one deserves forgiveness. Not even the smoothest talker can bargain for forgiveness. Forgiveness doesn’t depend on a promise to never repeat the offense.
Unconditional forgiveness is offered to the offender, whether they asked for it or not—just like Jesus gave from the cross.
When Jesus prayed the opening Scripture, nobody paid attention. Certainly, nobody thought they needed forgiveness! Jesus simply offered forgiveness freely, instantly.
Jesus seized the moment while He was visible to everyone present.
His hidden agenda was for us to talk about His pouring out unconditional forgiveness to His enemies while hanging bloody from the cross—through today!
Take Home Nugget
Forgiveness doesn’t minimize the seriousness of or the pain suffered from the offense. If someone asks for your forgiveness, simply say, “I forgive you.”
Never cheapen forgiveness by claiming it isn’t a big deal. “No problem,”
isn’t the correct response should someone ask you for forgiveness. If it truly isn’t a big deal, say, “Forgiveness isn’t needed.”
isn’t the correct response should someone ask you for forgiveness. If it truly isn’t a big deal, say, “Forgiveness isn’t needed.”
Forgiveness is a judgment call. Slights for minor issues can be handled by admitting, “My bad.” But when real pain is involved, admit that the offense is a big deal. And there are many big-deal offenses in life! Whether done by accident or on purpose, people offend others all the time.
There is measurable difference between being wounded and being wronged. Wounding requires patience and acceptance. Being wronged requires forgiveness. Be careful not to carry a “being wronged” sniffer chip on your shoulder. Some people are overly sensitive to racial bias, for example. They jump to bark at anyone who uses a racial slur or denies them equal rights.
Heavenly Father, please hold me accountable to treat others with the love Jesus commanded. Empower me to forgive freely and completely whoever wrongs me. And, Holy Father, thank You for forgiving me for the wrongs I’m guilty of doing! Praying this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Adapted from “What Forgiveness Really Is” Rev. Rick Warren. April 23, 2016. www.RickWarren.org.
J.D. Griffith
Here’s another eBook by J.D. Griffith:
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