By Will Heydel
I am growing in asking for forgiveness. As my kids get older and their sin rears its ugly head occasionally, mine does too. Sometimes, it feels like trying to tame a wild animal because, as the comedian Nate Bargatze said, “It’s like someone dropped a bobcat in my house.” Words like, “I am sorry I spoke to you that way,” or, “Please forgive me for raising my voice at you” can seem like the soundtrack of my life sometimes. What I’m learning is that no matter who has sinned against us or whom we have sinned against, there is an advantage to forgiveness.
Within the body of Christ, forgiveness carries eternal weight. The more we forgive and are forgiven, the less of an advantage Satan has; the fog of sin begins to lift, hope bridges the gap, joy overwhelms the sinner (Psalm 32:1–2), and the Church flourishes. Second Corinthians 2:10–11 says, “Anyone you forgive, I do too. For what I have forgiven—if I have forgiven anything—it is for your benefit in the presence of Christ, so that we may not be taken advantage of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes.” A quick look at the Corinthian church reveals they struggled to forgive. Due to sinful patterns, differences in theological thought, and itching ears bent toward false teaching, I imagine some believers loved their neighbor well and many did not. But if sin went unforgiven, separation remained.
When the opportunity presents itself to forgive someone who has caused us pain (2Corinthians 2:5), we have one of two choices. First, we could allow bitterness to sink its teeth deeper into the soil of our hearts. In other words, Satan can use unforgiveness to do greater harm. Or we can choose to forgive the sinner. For the body of Christ, the stakes could not be higher. Whether we choose to forgive or not, the battle between God and Satan is not equal. God will always have His way. But followers of Jesus must consider the harm that could befall the Church if forgiveness is withheld.
The ability to forgive the sinner is evidence of a changed heart. What is our role in this? I think it is to be open and available. When we are, we trust God to do in His strength what we cannot on our own—forgive.
Has someone caused you pain lately or sinned against you? If so, consider the advantages of extending forgiveness to that person. Is it hard? Might it take some time for your heart to forgive? Of course. Spiritual formation is slow. But take this to heart: if you do forgive the sinner, it will be by no merit of your own. Jesus said it himself, “You can do nothing without me” (John 15:5).
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