Authentic Forgiveness
Last night I asked God to reveal to me His words for this post today at Laced With Grace. During the night I was impressed with these two words: Corinthians two. I wasn’t sure if I was to read 1st or 2nd Corinthians. I opened my Bible landed on 2nd Corinthians and began reading chapter two.
The chapter started with a rebuke to the church in Corinth, puzzling??? I scratched my head, then I read on. Next, I froze in my chair, the heading of the next section of scripture was entitled: Forgiveness for the Sinner.
It describes a man who sinned then was punished severely by the church. Paul instructs the church to basically “lighten up†on the guy. Paul’s says in 2 Corinthians 2:7-8, “Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.â€
*Gulp* Did God send this message to me to understand the profound meaning of my visit with my Father this weekend?
Many years ago as a young adult my parents divorced. Typical with divorce, the blame game was played and family relationships were destroyed. Now, I love both of my parents and respect them deeply but I was young and held onto bitterness and unforgivness in my heart against my Dad.
Several years back I forgave my Dad but deep in my heart I still harbored righteous anger. I did little to move our relationship to full redemption. For me, full redemption is an ongoing Father/Daughter relationship.
God in his great wisdom has worked in me a new heart. Recently I spoke words of genuine forgiveness to my Dad. I was able to admit my error in judgment and condemnation. I told him I did not understand the whole truth of my parents split when I was young. I told him I was sorry. Isn’t it great we become wiser as we become older? God is amazing how He works in us through the years.
My Dad responded with kind and gentle words. Amazing!
This weekend, for the first time since my parents divorce, I am traveling to my Dad’s house to just hang out.
Our relationship: REDEEMED by the Lamb.
So why is God showing me 2 Corinthians 2? This is painful. I was overly harsh. I was punishing my father and inflicting pain on him through avoidance. *OUCH*
Jesus is confirming to me today the visit ahead is exactly where He wants me to be. It is exactly in His plan to fill us with a new love and grace us with a new future together. Second Corinthians has shown me my sin. This scripture revealed the meaning of authentic forgiveness but more importantly it illuminates the power of Jesus Christ in the life of a believer.
Lord, I don’t think I can fully understand the depth of divine forgiveness. Your grace is new every morning. Thank you for allowing this redemption in my life. Thank you for your redemption of all of my past sins. I fall at the foot of the cross with a tear-streaked face and cry, thank you Lord, thank you.
Bless you dear one, may your visit with your father this weekend, be a very precious time for you both.
Praying for grace, mercy, peace abounding in love for you all this weekend. God is so good to us to reveal His truth, new every day. Blessings
I love God for being willing to speak to us. It is such a comfort to my heart! I hope your weekend goes better than you could ever imagine!
Lynn, I went through a very similar experience with my dad and my parents’ divorce when I was just out of college. In a nutshell, Dad left Mom for someone else, Mom forbade us to speak to Dad and a lot of bitterness, anger and unforgiveness built up. It was many, many years later before I gave this to God and let Him heal the relationship etc. What a process. Why am I not suprised that we have this in common?
Thanks for sharing!
I look forward to hearing all about your trip friend. Have a great time.
I have felt that. That feeling of pain and shame when the Lord shows me something about myself that I need to work on, I just want to hide from it. It hurt you but you didn’t hide from it, you reached out again to your father. I am sure the Lord smiled at you that day. Have a sweet weekend.
What a wonderful fogiveness action you shows to us.
Wish you have good time with your dad this weekend.
And also happy mother’s day to you!
Thank you, Lynn for sharing those beautiful words of forgiveness. I know what Scripture passages I have to read tomorrow…
Be blessed today and always.
Hi Lynn,
Wow…First, I didn’t know you had another blog. I just happened on it tonight. Won’t be my last visit, for sure! 🙂 Second, my parents split when I was 5; divorced when I was 6. My dad and I have gone through a lot of healing, and I’ve had to (not as graciously as you just did, but…) reestablish a relationship as his adult child. My dad is very self centered, is not a believer, and is very hard-hearted. However, I love him and make sure that he knows it. He loves me, and actually, just went home after a visit where he got to see both my kids in a play. Is he that Norman Rockwell painting of a dad? Not on your life! But…he’s my dad. And I think God is pleased when we forgive and serve. Your 2Cor. lesson reaffirms my efforts, as well. It’s not always easy, but it’s the right thing to do. Darn, that maturing process. Doesn’t it just stink sometimes? 🙂 😉