Scripture

2 Corinthians 8:9 (New International Version)

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Consider

When we forgive, we make ourselves poorer so that the one who offended us might become richer.

No matter how you view them, conflicts are costly. It costs to keep nursing a grudge. Ironically, it also costs to stop nursing a grudge and forgive your offender. The difference between these two perspectives lies in what motivates you to let go of an offense and who benefits from your decision.

It is not wrong or selfish to let go for personal benefit. Clinging to a grudge robs us of valuable resources, such as time, energy, personal peace, and spiritual vitality. Releasing anger and bitterness over an offense restores these resources to us and immediately improves the quality of our lives.

Too often, however, we halt the forgiveness process at this level of personal benefit. “I’m done,” we say. “I’ve put this injury behind me and I’m moving on.”

We forget that as Christ followers we have been called to forgive our debtors as we have been forgiven in Christ Jesus. In other words, we have been called to take onto ourselves the cost of the debt, following the example of the One who “did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).

When we forgive, we pay the ransom necessary to release our offender from bondage to the offense. Whether or not he chooses to accept our forgiveness, we personally consider his debt to us paid in full.

How do we pay this debt? By giving up our right to seek compensation or retribution for what we have suffered. By passing up opportunities to harm this person through gossip, spiteful accusations, or passive-aggressive attacks. By surrendering our desire to curse and learning to bless instead. By applying ourselves to helping and praying for and seeking the best for this person at every opportunity.

No matter how much we pay to cover the debt, God promises to fully reimburse us. As much as you forgive, he says, I will forgive you more. The grace you lavish on your offender, I will return to you in such abundance that your account will overflow. You will know the peace and joy that come from trusting Me with your relationship troubles and following the example Jesus set for you to resolve them.

Pray

FATHER, thank you for sending your Son to ransom me from a debt I could never pay. Remind me that the very same grace available to Jesus when he forgave his enemies from the cross is available to me, and that you never expect me to forgive out of my own meager resources. When I suffer injury from others, guide my feet onto the path that follows your way of mercy. Help me to follow through with forgiveness that benefits not only me but my offender as well.

Reflect

Matthew 6:12; Ephesians 2:6-7

Share

When did someone absorb the cost of your wrongdoing and forgive you? How did this grace affect you?