Pathways Press.com

Written by Brian Morykon, a contemporary communications director and writer.

I don’t think it’s going too far to call unforgiveness an act of idolatry. Because holding someone in contempt means sitting on God’s throne and saying I know better…Not forgiving others leads to bitterness. Bitterness is a hairball clogging the pipe of God’s life flowing into and through us, a chain that binds us, a distorted lens that blinds us. “We don’t forgive because people deserve it,” songwriter Jason Upton once declared in spontaneous worship, “we forgive so we can see again.” Forgiveness in the Lord’s Prayer comes right after asking for daily bread. Maybe they’re linked. Maybe receiving and extending forgiveness is part of our daily sustenance. Bitterness devours; forgiveness feeds … It can be difficult to forgive and to receive forgiveness by ourselves. We need Christ in a sister or brother to hear our hurt and help us release our offender, and to hear our sins and help us release ourselves. A book could be filled with caveats and cautions: forgiveness doesn’t mean the offense is less severe; it doesn’t mean a relationship is always restored; it doesn’t mean being a victim or staying in abusive situations. You know this. Perhaps, like me, you just needed a reminder today of what forgiveness is. It is giving what you’ve been given: the bread of mercy.

Then leave your gift before the altar, go to your brother, repent and forgive one another, be reconciled, and then return to the altar to offer your gift to God. [Matthew 5:24]