We often put up barriers in our own thinking that hinder us from forgiving our offenders. Of course, Satan is happy with this, and he reinforces this resistance in hopes of preventing us from fully forgiving people from our hearts and finding freedom from bitterness.
Forgive Even if They Are Not Sorry
Centuries ago, there were some church leaders who did not believe that the first several verses of John chapter 8 should be included in the Bible, and these leaders actually attempted to have these verses removed. (Got Questions Ministries)
These verses tell the story of the woman caught in the act of adultery. The problem that some church leaders had with this passage is that Jesus forgave the woman even though she never said that she was sorry for her actions. There is no record that this woman showed any remorse, and yet Jesus forgave her anyway.
In doing this, Jesus modeled for us how we should forgive our offenders. We cannot wait until our offenders feel remorse for their actions and come to us to apologize, because that may never happen—and we may have to accept that. Regardless of whether or not our offenders ever apologize, we must fully forgive them from our hearts.
In His highest act of forgiveness, not holding our sins against us, Jesus did not wait for us to clean ourselves up and apologize for our actions, but He died for us while we were still unremorseful sinners.
“But God shows his love for us, because while we were still sinners Christ died for us.”—Romans 5:8 (CEB)
Not only that, but having forgiven us and actually laying down His own life voluntarily to pay the price that justice demanded for our offenses, He went beyond that and even asked His Father God to forgive us also!
“Jesus kept saying, ‘Father, forgive them, because they don’t know what they’re doing.’”—Luke 23:34 (ISV)
Jesus forgave all of us, even as our sins were killing Him. Jesus forgave us (his offenders) even before we expressed any remorse for our actions.
“You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.”—Colossians 2:13-14 (NLT)
No One Escapes Consequences
One of the strongest hindrances to forgiveness can be our desire to see justice done. If someone does something wrong, there should be consequences for those actions. They should be punished—severely! How can we forgive someone and just allow them to get away with their horrible crimes against us?
But we *can *forgive and rest assured that justice will be fully satisfied. We *can *fully forgive our offenders when we come to the realization that no one ever gets off scot free. Wrongs are always paid for. There are always consequences. Punishment is always administered to fit the crime.
“Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.”—Galatians 6:7 (NLT)
We can fully forgive our offenders, resting in the full assurance that justice will be done, punishment will be fully administered. The price will be fully paid.
Either the price will be fully paid by the offender, or, if they accept the mercy of God and repent of their sins, then their sins are fully paid for by the suffering and cruel death that Jesus suffered for all of our sins on the cross.
We may or may not witness our offenders suffering for their sins. There have been times when I have watched my offenders suffer for their offenses, and there have been other times when it seemed that there was no punishment. But even if it seems that our offenders escape justice in this life, we can know with full assurance that they will face the ultimate judgment later, and that judgment will be complete, thorough, and perfect.
“For we know Him Who said, Vengeance is Mine [retribution and the meting out of full justice rest with Me]; I will repay [I will exact the compensation], says the Lord. And again, The Lord will judge and determine and solve and settle the cause and the cases of His people.”—Hebrews 10:30 (AMPC)
We cannot allow our desire for justice to become a barrier to forgiving our offenders. Administering justice is not our job. That is God’s job. Our responsibility is to forgive. God will take care of the rest.
In the case of the woman caught in the act of adultery in John chapter 8, Jesus could fully forgive this woman knowing that the price would be fully paid for her sins. He knew that, because He Himself would be the one to lay down His own life to pay that price and to satisfy the justice of God for what she had done.
“He has not dealt with us according to our sins [as we deserve], Nor rewarded us [with punishment] according to our wickedness. For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear and worship Him [with awe-filled respect and deepest reverence]. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Just as a father loves his children, So the Lord loves those who fear and worship Him [with awe-filled respect and deepest reverence]. For He knows our [mortal] frame; He remembers that we are [merely] dust.”—Psalm 103:10-14 (AMP)
“Who is a God like You, who forgives wickedness And passes over the rebellious acts of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He [constantly] delights in mercy and lovingkindness. He shall again have compassion on us; He will subdue and tread underfoot our wickedness [destroying sin’s power]. Yes, You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea.”—Micah 7:18-19 (AMP)
Reference:
Got Questions Ministries. (2014, October 13). Does John 7:53—8:11 belong in the Bible?. Got Questions? Your Questions. Biblical Answers. https://www.gotquestions.org/John-7-53-8-11.html
