Loving Forgiveness
Did you know that the word “abide” is used almost twenty times in 1 John? This is a lot in such a short book and it is sort of a weird word. Abide is not a word you hear often these days. When John used it he was referring to the way we, as followers of Jesus, are interwoven with God.
Abiding means to stay, to continue and to remain. John says that God abides in us and we also abide in Him. Abiding is a two way street. (1 John 4:15) Think about that for a moment. As much as God is in you in this moment, you are in God.
“God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us.” I love reading those words. God at home in me just as much as I am at home in Him and this home is overflowing in love! Love, for the disciple of Christ, is not a human accomplishment; it is divine, a gift from God.
I think we often stop reading John’s words in verse 19 and skip over the hard part. The call to forgive. Because we are so loved we must forgive and sometimes that is the hardest thing to do. Forgive those that have hurt us. And even harder, forgiving ourselves for all of our mistakes and shortcomings.
John is reminding us of how forgiving opens up space for love to flow!
The reason we can be so connected with God is because we have been forgiven through Jesus. You and I are loved so much that Jesus died so we can be forgiven. To truly abide with God, we must also forgive the way we have been forgiven.
Love and forgiveness are threaded throughout the Christian story. Jesus told His disciples to forgive others as they have been forgiven. (Matthew 6:9) Paul reminds us to forgive quickly and thoroughly. (Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13) Perhaps the most powerful example of love and forgiveness come from Jesus on the cross. With the weight of all humankind on His shoulders, every bit of shame, fear, anger, and brokenness we could ever feel or carry, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them.” (Luke 23:34)
Forgiveness is rooted in love. If there is no love, there is no true forgiveness.
Many of the hurts and wounds you and I hold on to are deep and extremely painful. They become a huge part of who and what we are, a debilitating identity. Honestly, they feel unforgivable.
Alone they are unforgivable, but because of Jesus living inside of us there is healing and forgiveness. You are no longer alone. You are interwoven with God. He is in you and you are in Him. Because of this abiding bond, I challenge you to ask God to help you forgive today and make more space for love to flow in your life. You may be surprised at what God will do if you just ask!