Thomas Watson wrote many years ago that there are seven elements to forgiveness:
Resisting revenge…
Not returning evil for evil…
Wishing them well…
Grieving at their calamities…
Praying for their wellfare…
Seeking reconciliation (As much as it depends upon you)…
And coming to their aid when they’re in distress.
If he is right (And I believe he is), I have a lot of soul work to do. There are people I have to examine my attitude toward. There are situations these people have been involved in with me that I need to take a much harder look at. And what bothers me is that I don’t know who those people are, nor can I know without God’s help!
Then I had another thought. Who is there that is in the process of forgiving ME?! Whoever they are, I am to seek THEM out and work toward reconciliation. I am to be the one that takes the first step… not them! This comes from what Jesus said as recorded in Matthew 5:23-24…
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Please excuse me now, I’ll be back later… I have some things to work on…
Click Here for Part 2.
Thank you. I needed to read and be reminded of that.
In reading the above I realize that I am not there yet. I am glad you are writing on this subject. Forgiving others is one of the hardest things I’ve had to deal with in my lifetime and I am still working on it. I agree that forgiveness is not a one time thing but it is a process.