What Is The Heart of Forgiveness? (Part 1)

How do we view forgiveness? To many it is simply a way to feel better about the difficult interpersonal moments in life.

But, is that right? Is forgiveness merely a method for making us feel better a situation, or is forgiveness an issue that is intended to lead to reconciliation, restoration, and (when appropriate) restitution?

This week I’d like for us to think together about the issue of forgiveness, and I would suggest that the discussion must begin with a very important word, and concept—conditionality.

When we speak of conditionality, we are talking about something that is dependent upon something else. That is the condition of conditionality. For example, in the Bible we talk about the promises of God—but not all promises are created equal. Some are:

• Conditional: Dependent upon the actions of the individuals receiving the promise
• Unconditional: Dependent only upon God’s trustworthiness

In fact, most promises in the scriptures tend to be conditional—not unconditional. However, because God is a God of grace and mercy we tend to be more drawn to that which is unconditional, and that begins to drive our thinking in areas both appropriate and inappropriate. For example:

What Is Unconditional Love?

Appropriately, unconditional love is love that is given simply because the heart of love must express the love it carries. This is seen in two areas:

A. God’s Love (John 3:16)

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

God’s love expressed in sending Jesus was not based on anything that we did, would, or could do to earn such love. It was the expression of the heart of God to a rebellious world in order to reach out to us and express His passion for our hearts. It was absolutely independent of any response or action on our part—either before or after His coming. God sent Christ because God is love—not because we deserved that love, asked for it, or in any way met the requirements of the law so as to receive it. It was and is unconditional.

God loves everyone unconditionally, but (and it is a really BIG “but”) He only enters into relationship with those who repent of sins and accept His gift of grace. Similarly, we are likewise to love people unconditionally…

B. Our Love For Others (Luke 6:26-36)

“(26) Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way. (27) But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, (28) bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (29) Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. (30) Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. (31) Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. (32) If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. (33) If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. (34) If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. (35) But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. (36) Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

Now we are into it. Notice, Jesus is very clear. Anyone (v.32) can love their friends in a significant way, but unconditional love isn’t that way. Unconditional love expresses itself in a heart response that shows the mercy of the Father to all. The challenge is to love people regardless of how they treat you—because that is what God does!

Now comes the challenge. If we are to love unconditionally, would that not then naturally imply that we are to forgive unconditionally? Not necessarily. We’ll see that on Wednesday…