Comment by Harborough churches: What exactly is forgiveness?

Viewpoint by Revd Christopher Brown, pastor of Market Harborough Baptist Church

I’ve been looking ahead this week to what Christmas might be like for the church family and the community, and as I’ve looked ahead I’ve also looked back at the start of the year and was reminded of one service that will stick with me forever.

One Sunday morning in February, a lady called Esther stood at the front of church and shared how despite abuse, addiction and crushing grief, she had forgiven the man who murdered her teenage son one night in Corby. Esther honestly and powerfully described her challenging journey to this point and of how God’s love, grace and strength had enabled her to forgive and find freedom, hope and peace. Esther showed us that day that forgiveness is always possible.

Forgiveness is at the heart of the Christian faith, of our relationship with God, and one of the major reasons why Jesus was born (Christmas) and died for us and rose again (Easter). But what exactly is forgiveness? Well, firstly, forgiveness is about naming the wrongdoing that has taken place, it’s telling the story of the hurt, pain and suffering that wrongdoing has caused.

Secondly, forgiveness is about condemning that wrongdoing, it’s saying that what happened was not OK, that it was wrong. Thirdly – and this is the most difficult part – to forgive means to give the wrongdoer the gift of not counting their wrongdoing against them. It’s about letting go of the bitterness, hatred and resentment, of the self-destructive desire for revenge. It’s saying: “this is what you did, it was wrong, but I have decided to not hold that against you anymore, I forgive you.”

Anyone who has ever truly forgiven another will tell you what forgiveness is not – it’s not weakness, it’s not easy or quick, it’s not forgetting, it’s not pretending all is OK, it’s not returning to unsafe or abusive situations. They will tell you that forgiveness does not cancel out justice, but allows you to pursue justice without the desire for revenge.

They will also tell you what forgiveness is – it’s freedom, healing, transformation, new life, new hope, new future; they will tell you that even in the most painful and heart-breaking situations, forgiveness is always possible, and the rewards are life-giving.

I wonder, as this virus continues to reveal to us just how fragile and precious life is, who do I need to forgive? And who do I need to ask to be forgiven? When I reflect on how difficult this is, I think of Esther that Sunday morning and believe once again that forgiveness is always possible, and that forgiveness leads to freedom.

If you want to find out more about Esther’s journey of forgiveness, then visit her website: https://estherspromise.co.ukIf you would like to listen to our series on forgiveness then search for Market Harborough Baptist Church in YouTube and you’ll find it on our channel. If you want to discuss forgiveness further, then please get in touch or speak with your local minister.

Revd Christopher Brown is the pastor of Market Harborough Baptist Church

www.mhbaptistchurch.org

@revcsbrown