Learning to Forgive Pt. 2

Each new year brings with it new resolutions. In this series, we take a closer look at the Lord’s Prayer to see how this daily practice can shape how we approach the change we want to see in our lives.

Scripture: Luke 11:4; Romans 12:19-21

In the first part of this mini-series which focuses on “Forgiveness”, we discussed the importance of realizing freedom and abundance in our forgiving. This week we consider how forgiveness is crucial to God’s vision for justice in our world. To help us better understand what we mean by “justice”, let us begin by talking about it in terms of what it is not.

It’s not Vengeance
In Romans 12:19-21, the Apostle Paul makes it clear that in cases of wrongdoing, the Christian response is to be one of mercy and grace while recognizing that God sits on the judgment seat and will execute justice as he sees fit. This is difficult for many as in our anger we can easily confuse vengeance for justice. Indeed, justice and vengeance are often confused with one another because they may very well achieve similar results. But just as bitterness can spread its roots to affect others around it, vengeance in the long term can only perpetuate the injustice while justice seeks to put an end to it. Jesus offers forgiveness as a means of breaking the patterns of injustice in our world by designating justice where it belongs— in the hands of the one who stands to judge whole the world. Therefore, if true justice is our goal in the world then this clarifies the job of the Christian to solely focus on forgiveness and leaving the end result to God. Our calling is to follow in Jesus’ footsteps by loving our enemies through the defeat of our own need for vengeance and blind anger. In the words of Paul, this is how we “overcome evil with good” by forgiving those who’ve wronged us and leaving justice to the one who is just.

It’s not Permissiveness

One of the criticisms lodged against those who practice forgiveness as Jesus did is that they’re too permissive and that, eventually, the world will walk all over them, so to speak. Perhaps we feel that if we forgive too easily then that means we’re letting people off the hook for their actions. How then could justice be achieved in such a world? On the contrary, the picture of justice we're given in the Gospels is one where both truth and grace are given equal attention (John 1:14). Jesus lived out this balance perfectly as he consistently held people accountable for their sins while also showing mercy by forgiving them. In this way, Jesus never made it “easy” for those around him to sin but he was also always ready to help them find grace and forgiveness whenever possible. This is important because it has often been misunderstood that a Christ-like response to mistreatment necessitates permissiveness. To the contrary, the very act of forgiveness implies that there has been a wrong done and that is why a conversation needs to be had so that both parties can move forward from the incident. Therefore, if we are to be a forgiving people, we must also be willing to be courageous in holding others accountable for their wrongdoing.

It’s not Reconciliation
Another misunderstanding when it comes to forgiveness is that people often feel compelled to remain in unfortunate circumstances if they forgive someone. On this note, we must acknowledge that while reconciliation is certainly an ideal worth striving for, reconciliation and forgiveness are not the same thing practically. In 2 Corinthians 5:18, Paul describes the work of the church as the “ministry of reconciliation”. This is in keeping with the overall narrative of the Bible where God is bringing healing and wholeness into the world through the arrival of his kingdom (Colossians 1:20). That being said, we also know that healing for many people takes time and it is a process that cannot always be rushed. This is especially true in cases of abuse and trauma. For this reason, it is important to recognize that reconciliation is not always possible for those who are still on that journey of healing. Nonetheless, forgiveness may only be the first step in a long journey for some but it is a necessary step for all regardless if reconciliation is the end goal or not. If even just for the sake of freedom on the victim’s part, forgiveness is always possible.

What about temptation?

Throughout each of these points, the goal has been that through forgiveness we are not perpetuating injustice but rather, in small but significant ways, we are pursuing wholeness and healing for everyone. The same is true for ourselves as we seek to avoid sin altogether. If this is true for you then notice Jesus’ wording here as he makes the issue about avoiding temptation and not just sin. What this means is that if we’re waiting for sin to enter the picture then, in most cases, the battle has already been lost. Sadly, this is how many of us fight our battles as we often wait until it is too late before doing something about sin. The truth is that in our pride, we think that we’re stronger than we are when in reality, temptation by itself is more dangerous than we realize. As James 1:13-15 tells us, our troubles begin with our desires as they eventually “give birth” to sin. In his prayer, Jesus calls us to put into practice a mindset that shifts the line as far away from sin as possible so that we are protected. This is only possible through God’s leading and why it must be a daily acknowledgement of our weakness.

Justice for all

Part of the problem when discussing matters of justice is that we’re often handicapped in our approach without knowing or realizing it. There are pieces missing to what we know or don’t know and our perspectives are often skewed. We have biases that drive our actions and this means that we always need to be vigilant about being as impartial as possible. In light of this, Biblical forgiveness plays its part as it forces us to confront our experiences in such a way that levels the playing field. In praying “Forgive me, as I forgive others”, I’m led to see the entirety of my faults while also acknowledging others’. It is through this humbling practice that God has made it his mission to make a family out of strangers. Strangers who would otherwise never have forgiven each other. This is the justice that seeks to bring people together rather than drive them apart. It is a justice that is for all and not for a select few, just as the forgiveness of the Cross is for all.

Study questions:

1. How do you see justice in our world?

2. What is the difference between vengeance and true justice?

3. In what ways is forgiveness the opposite of permissiveness?

4. What is the difference between reconciliation and forgiveness?

5. What is your approach to fighting temptation in your life? Do you need to “shift the line”?

6. Why is it important that justice is for all in the Bible?