The Transaction of Forgiveness

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In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us.—Ephesians 1:7-8 (NIV)

I am an avid reader, with a highlighter and pen at the ready. The thin pages of my Bible are highlighted in every color of the rainbow, verses are underlined, and prayers and notes are written in the margins. I have stacks of Christian living books with highlights and markings, because some wisdom is worth revisiting. Then there are the quotes so profound that I do not have to reread them, because they have taken residence in a crevice of my brain.

In the book Forgive and Forget: Healing the Hurts We Don't Deserve, theologian Lewis B. Smedes wrote, “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” When I first read these words, I committed them to memory because I knew I would need to recall this truth for the rest of my life.

I was in my early thirties when that now heavily highlighted Bible with worn leather edges was first opened. I grew up in church and loved the Lord from a young age, but sadly, I didn’t spend time studying Scripture. At 32, Jesus met me in the trenches of a very dark period. I emerged from the pit with an overwhelming desire to forgive my earthly father and pursue an intimate relationship with my Heavenly Father.

Since my dad passed away when I was 21, I worked on forgiveness while talking with my Heavenly Father for months. Then one day, during a morning commute, after much prayer and reflection, God gifted me with a vision that finally set me free.

In the same year I found freedom through forgiveness, I finally understood the transaction of the Cross after listening to a sermon from a Jewish teacher. There are four Greek words for “redeem” in the New Testament, and they all involve a purchase: a price or ransom paid to set the captives free (Isaiah 61:1). Our freedom from the bondage of sin was paid for with the Blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19). Jesus is our Kinsman Redeemer (Hebrew: go'el), who freed His enslaved relatives (us!). He is the only Way to the Father. Forgiveness and reconciliation were always God’s plan (Genesis 3:15).

It’s been a decade since I forgave my dad, and in the process, I forgave myself. I shed the weight of guilt that I had carried for years. Friend, I know it can be excruciating to do the work of forgiveness when people have badly hurt you. Forgiving others doesn’t mean you shouldn’t set boundaries to protect yourself. But don’t let unforgiveness, resentment, and bitterness cost you the freedom that was purchased at the highest price.

I’ve come to realize that the closer I walk with the Lord, the easier it is to forgive offenses and let things go. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)

Questions for Reflection:

1. Are you harboring unforgiveness? Ask God to soften your heart and lead you through the hard work of forgiveness.

2. Is there someone that you need to apologize to? I constantly need to apologize for my impatient actions and ungracious words as a mom. Asking for forgiveness is a humbling and freeing experience.