Forgiveness Friday

Who is forgiveness really for? In recent years, the teaching has been that it is for the person that does the forgiving. I remember hearing that forgiveness is the best gift that a person could ever give themselves. Another statement says that unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. But is there more to it than just us being blessed in forgiveness? Are we even the primary recipient of blessing in forgiveness? These questions made me think about God and the example that He set for us. During Jesus' ministry on earth, did He forgive people for Himself or was it for others? When he told people that he did not condemn them and to go and sin no more, was it for Himself? why did people react the way that they did when Jesus would say this? What about Jesus dying on the cross. Was it for us or for Himself. God gave His only begotten Son to save the world (John 3:16) and not for Himself. Using Jesus as a template, forgiveness is not for us first, but it is for the offender first and the blessing for the offended is a byproduct. I remember forgiving my father for not being a consistent part of my life growing up. originally, I thought it was for me, but I remember his emotional response when I told him that I forgive him. It was not for me initially, but as a by-product, there was a weight that was lifted off of me once I did forgive him. I thank God for showing us what true forgiveness looks like.

Agape