Acknowledging Personal Culpability In Forgiveness

Move on into the future,
Or linger there in the past?
It all depends on if,
We want the pain to last.
But best we process the anger,
Resolve it while we can,
Only then will God lift us,
Beyond the reach of hurtful man.
Anger is the symptom,
Of a sadness deep inside,
The sadness of felt injustice,
A sadness we cannot hide.
The task ahead right now,
Is to explore before the Lord,
All the truth in our sadness,
Not one skerrick to be ignored.
When we find our bitterness,
Is just as bad as they’ve done,
We find we’re both helpless sinners,
Unlike God’s own Son.
Wow, forgiven as I am,
The opportunity’s there before me,
To view them with God’s grace,
Through which Jesus made me free.

***

Every time I’ve successfully forgiven anyone or anything I’ve seen my fault in the matter(s) at hand. I’ve seen the log in my own eye and couldn’t look past it. I’ve seen that I’m a sinner – for which Jesus died so I could be free. The Lord’s sacrifice inspires my own sacrifice – his sinless sacrifice for my sacrifice of my pride. That’s an excellent deal in anyone’s language.

And such a wise sacrifice – to jettison pride – comes glowing with sparkling essences of peace, hope, joy, and love. But only because we did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.

For the person who has accepted our apology or forgiveness, yet hasn’t chosen to embark on the voyage of grace with us, they miss out on the spiritual blessings of peace, hope, joy, and love they could experience – a relational blessing. But we leave their lack of response to God; we cannot ‘help’ them see their lack.

All we can do is take responsibility for what God requires us all to be responsible for. Such trusting obedience is always very certainly blessed.

***

Forgiveness is about seeing the log in our own eye and not being able to look past it.

When we can only see our sin, the other’s sin is now no longer relevant. God knows it’s relevant and that is enough for us. We let God judge, as we judge ourselves. Then God opens our eyes to what we could have done better.

There is no condemnation, just learning because of the sparking of curiosity.

There is no guilt, just thankfulness for what is now known.

There is no shame, just gratitude to know the truth.

© 2014 S. J. Wickham.