The Cloak of Forgiveness, Part 2

August, 2007

by: Shelbi Cullen

Last month, we discussed the virtue of forgiveness. According to Paul (Col 3:13), forgiveness is best defined as “treating the offending party graciously.” On the other hand Jesus defines forgiveness as “leaving the offending party’s debt behind so as to forget.” Both definitions are illustrated vividly in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15), and the parable of unmerciful servant (Matt 18). This month, I’ve listed seven biblical principals to assist you in putting off your unforgiving heart and putting on your cloak of forgiveness. Let’s use an acrostic, the word CLOTHES, for ease of memory.

Confess your sin and cry out to God for strength.

Begin walking the road of repentance by going before the Lord and confessing your sin of anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness. Then ask God for strength to forgive. As new creatures in Christ, you have the capacity by God’s grace to wear the cloak of forgiveness (Psa 66:18; Ep 4:22-24; 1 John 1:8, 9).

Live by biblical principle and not your emotions.

To understand what it means to wear the cloak of forgiveness requires understanding what it is not. Forgiveness is not a feeling but a series of daily decisions. Tragically however, you may choose to respond by keeping a record of the wrongs of others and bring them up over and over again in your mind; thus destroying your relationships and depriving yourself of the peace and freedom that comes through genuine forgiveness (Jos 1:8; Matt 18:21-35; Mark 11:25; Luke 11:42; Cor 10:5; Col 3:13; Eph 4:32;1 Pet 1:14).

Overlook minor offenses—or confront graciously.

When you choose to overlook an offense, you choose to not think or talk about what someone has done to hurt you. But sometimes the offense is so serious and, to avoid the temptation of being bitter, you must talk personally and graciously with the offender. The goal is restoring the person to Christ and restoring your relationship, not for the purpose of condemning (Prov 19:11; Gal 6:1; Col 1:28).

The goal of forgiveness is reconciliation.

After taking the necessary steps toward forgiveness, a new process—reconciliation—begins. Instead of allowing relationships to wither, you now actively pursue genuine peace and reconciliation. This involves a change of attitude that leads to a change in your relationship (Matt 5:25; Rom 12:18).

His resources are available to you.

(1) You have the Holy Spirit to help you overcome unforgiveness as you yield to Him; (2) you have the Word of God, your best defense against the encroaching sin of unforgiveness and; (3) you have the Body of Christ to admonish, encourage, and help you be a forgiving person (Psa 119:10, 11; Acts 1:8; Eph 5:18; Col 3:16; Heb 4:12; 1 John 2:14).

Eliminate the log in your own eye.

Instead of blaming others in the midst of a conflict in which you are tempted to be unforgiving, trust God and ask Him to search your own heart. Is it possible you need to take some responsibility for contributing to the problem? Perhaps you need to lay aside your pride and choose to put on compassion, kindness, gentleness, and forgiveness (Prov 28:13; Matt 7:3-5; Luke 19:8; 1Thess 5:21; Matt 7:3-5; Col 3:5-14; 1 John 1:8-9).

Strive to be a peacemaker.

When you are in a situation that tempts you to be unforgiving, instead of focusing on your own desires and what others are doing, stop for a moment and remind yourself that you need to glorify God by striving to be a peacemaker. Christians are to be the ones eager to dissolve anger and bitterness and to encourage repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation. When you do, you serve as a peacemaker (Matt 5:9; Rom 12:18).

Col 3:12 reminds believers of four motivations to wear the cloak of forgiveness: you have been chosen, set-apart, loved, and forgiven by God. Those present realities add up to one thing: God’s grace. These are blessings God has lavished upon you. You now have a responsibility before God to wear this beautiful wardrobe representing your new life in Christ, including the cloak of forgiveness!