A Notable Exception: Forgiveness

There are two hugely distinctive sides to forgiveness....to give it and to receive it.  Vast is the difference!

And I take exception with the notion that we are to never stop forgiving.  This is because forgiveness is given once and for all, if sincere, in any one circumstance.  Yes, if someone wounds us multiple times, we are urged to never stop forgiving.  I get that; like it or not in every situation.

But my exception is in the falseness of some acts of forgiveness.  There are so many actions and thoughts that are not forgiveness:

• making excuses for someone because you think you need to protect them.
• explaining away the entire incident...as though it was totally insignificant.
• expressing the word 'forgiveness' but speaking it in fear or dread.  Perhaps one is afraid of losing the offender's favor.
• failing to even approach or confront the matter of one's true feelings because it will just 'go away' if not confronted.

Forgiveness is a very difficult task when each time of offense calls for a time-out approach, during which one would count to 10, calm themselves, rehearse what they will say and talk themselves into feeling better.

Ahhhh, but there are ways!  Without doubt!  Without dread!  Almost pain-free!

The first that I have experienced both in giving and accepting is the forgiveness that is decided into existence even before an offense is committed.  Yes, forgive ahead of time!  Let's say, "Fore-forgive."God bless him, I experienced this forgiveness from the heart of my husband Wayne daily in our marriage.  He was just too kind to not forgive and he lived always in peace - even though often in great physical pain.  And who knows the pain in the heart of one knowing he will die?  There was always room for forgiveness in his heart.  I have other friends like this too.  Thank you.

There is a forgiveness that trumps even the fore-forgiveness and it is, in my opinion, the one which blesses the forgiver the very most.  And it is to live as Jesus did in the spirit of forgiveness.  No stopping to decide... before, during, or after an offensive word or action.  It is just a way to live and thrive.  There is no space of minutes or hours or days in which the attitudes of blame and revenge might begin to creep or bound into one's heart.  There is no void into which anger and resentment might fall.

Freedom and forgiveness are like fraternal twins...born from the same source, but distinctly connected and independent at the same time.

Oh, for the spirit of Jesus.  And He wants to give it to us...to see us be one with the Father, just as he is...why, Jesus even prayed this for us in John 17.  And additionally, Jesus thought about US...living in the 21st century...when he prayed for believers yet to come.  That's an awesome fore-thought.  And exceptional in every way.  Thank you Son of God.