Lesson 27: The Forgiven
Kentucky Division Chaplain Chaltas

"I can forgive but I can not forget." How many times have you heard others make that statement? Have you ever said it? I too am guilty of such negative thinking. I found Matthew 6:14 to be such a hard lesson before I encountered the true meaning of forgiveness. "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." For a long time this was a major obstacle in my spiritual growth.

I guess my first true realization of the concept of forgiveness came when I was on a retreat in Arizona. I vividly remember the four days of celebrating life and how others catered to my needs. But the most moving portion of the retreat was the last night. I remember walking down a trail where candles placed in white bags illuminated the way to a circular area where there was a fire in the middle. The preacher talked of love and peace through forgiveness. After his sermon he asked each of us to write down the one thing that kept us from getting closer to God and whatever in your life you felt could not be forgiven. No one else would see the paper only you and God. He then instructed each of us to step forward and as we prayed for forgiveness to toss the paper with the message into the fire. Now I realize it was merely symbolic in nature but when I released my letter asking for forgiveness into the flames a deep sense of peace overwhelmed my spirit and I went away 'a shouting'! I felt forgiven! For it finally dawned on my being that if Jesus Christ could pray for those that were torturing Him and intercede on their behalf as He hung on that old rugged cross, then surely I can forgive those that transgress against me. Read those ten words that teach us the true meaning of forgiveness in Luke 23:34. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." John 20:23 states, "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." The Lord's Prayer also shows us the true meaning of forgiveness. Listen to the words of Matthew, Chapter 6, and verse 12. "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." In Colossians 3: 13 a strong lesson on forgiveness is given to the world. "Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another: even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do."

This I know: the greatest weapon we have in our arsenal is love and with love comes forgiveness. Do you wish to be one of the forgiven? Do you want to cast your cares upon Him for He cares for you? Do you want to experience complete bliss in a world of turmoil? In First John 1:9 we are shown how to forgive by the example of Christ. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The three-step plan is easily available and it will change your life. First sincerely confess your sins, ask to be forgiven and saved from your sins and then forgive others. Then you will know such peace that is as refreshing as a summer breeze. What have you got to lose other than your immortal soul? Forgiveness is just a heartbeat away in the knowledge that Christ can and will forgive your sins if you earnestly seek Him. Why not do so this day my friend and know a peace that will change your very existence? What a gift and it is completely free for the asking. May your life be filled with love and peace through forgiveness, as I remain your obedient servant in Christ.