Releasing Forgiveness

by Roger Pawsey

"Everyone says that forgiveness is a lovely idea until he has something to forgive"
C.S.Lewis

One of the hardest things we are called to do as Christians is, as imitators of God, to forgive. It is fundamental to our Christian life and yet I find as I talk with people that it is the toughest thing God asks us to do. I find that very often people struggle with forgiving because the basic priciples of forgiveness are not clearly grasped. This is revealed when people make comments like:

• "If I had truly forgiven this person why do I feel this way towards them?"

• "You can't truly forgive someone who doesn't ask for forgiveness"

• "God forgives and forgets our sin, therefore we only truly forgive when we also forgive and forget"

• "We shouldn't forgive people who break God's law, that is condoning sin"

• "Forgiving people shows weakness of character and a subservient need to be accepted"

These ideas displayed in attitudes are based in a wrong understanding of the governing principles in the Kingdom of God. To release forgiveness to someone we must understand how these principles work and that they are enduring.

Imagine dismissing the law of gravity because we observe a feather floating upwards, or concorde flying through the sky. Understanding the principles of gravity will stop us from leaping from tall buildings. In the same way understanding the principles of forgiveness will stop us from being in a "stuck place" in our relationships.

Understanding forgiveness

Releasing forgiveness

Frequently asked questions and comments made about forgiveness

• How can I have truly forgiven this person when I feel like this?
• Surely you have only truly forgiven, when you can also forget? Doesn't the Bible talk of God (Isaiah 43:25) forgetting transgressions?
• If we forgive people who break God's law, isn't that the same as condoning the sin?
• Doesn't forgiving people show weakness of character and the need to be accepted?
• How can I forgive myself? and how can others forgive what I've done?

Return Menu
Watton on the Web - Studies and Stories home page - full index - Stories index - Studies index - latest index