What is Forgiveness?

^14-15"... You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part.

Matthew 6:14-15 (The Message)

Forgiveness doesn't make the other person right, it makes you free.

-- Stormie Omartian

A bit late today... Some times being the IT Director for a County is not fun!

Forgiveness is the miracle of a new beginning.


It is to start where we are, not where we wish we were, or the other person was.

It is to hold out a hand; to want to renew a friendship; to want a new relationship with husband, father, daughter, friend, or indeed enemy.

It may not take away the hurt. It does not deny the past injury.

It does not ignore the possibility and need for repentance and a change in the relationship.

It means being willing to take the initiative in dealing with any barriers that I may be raising towards a restored relationship.

It means that I am willing to have a relationship with the other party that is based on Christian love and not on what has happened in the past, if the response of the other person makes that possible.


Two New Testament words that translate "to forgive" mean literally "to let go" and "to cancel a debt". I found that at times the phrase "I forgive you" seemed empty, so I said,:

I release you. I let you go.
I let go of this offense.
I cancel your debt. You owe me nothing now.
I renounce my desire to get even with you."

Imagine owing someone a million dollars and they tell you you do not need to repay it , forever!

This fills the imagery of the word "forgiveness" with a more specific and concrete meaning.

Forgiveness may lead to reconciliation or it may not, but they are not the same. Paul recognizes this when, in writing about our attitude to those who wrong us, he says,


"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:18).

Let me be at peace today on the Adventure in Middle Grove.