There are things which may be done and done with, while there are others which must be acknowledged as ongoing. In order for such to take place, what is done must be viewed not merely as an action but as an attitude. There are acts which are to take place in our life on an ongoing basis which require the proper ongoing attitude to support them. If the attitude is not there, the actions would most likely cease to be ongoing.
It has been said, “Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude.” (Martin Luther King Jr.)
This is something to continually bear in mind. The full quote is: “Forgiveness is not an occasional act. It is a permanent attitude. That which I was not but could have been. That which I would have done but did not do. Can I find the fortitude to remember in truth, to understand, to submit, to forgive and to be free to move on in time?”
In Luke’s Gospel Jesus expressed the need for an openness and willingness to forgive in stating. . .
“(3) Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, (4) and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” (Luke 17:3-4 ESV)
Jesus gave this as an imperative; a must in our life! The Greek is “apheseis” from “aphiemi”, which “signifies to sent away, set free; also to let alone.” [W. E. Vine] Such is to be the attitude of forgiveness. This attitude is important to nurture and maintain. It is not a one-time act, but an ongoing attitude as expressed in a conversation between Peter and Jesus where we read. . .
“(21) Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” (22) Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:21-22 ESV)
From there Jesus went on to tell the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:23-35) to address the importance of acknowledging our own need and thus compel our own willingness to be forgiving. Therefore, forgiveness ought to be acknowledged not as a matter of counting the times but, in view of how much we ourselves have been forgiven, forgiveness is to be continually extended.
The acknowledgement to feed such an ongoing attitude was expressed by Paul in his letter to Christians at Ephesus where we read. . .
“(32) Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32 ESV)
Being forgiven allows us to move on, and forgiving others does the same for them as we are also enabled to move on in a proper ongoing relationship with them. May a forgiving attitude continually lead to its ongoing action!
Have a great DAY FORGIVEN AND FORGIVING!
Carl
