Lessons from the Bog: Forgiveness
One of the things that you will notice is missing in the bog is fish and even frogs. There are several reasons for this. One, the sphagnum moss carpet that encroaches across the surface of the water limits the amount of oxygen that is able to get into the water. Deeper below the surface has very little oxygen content as compared to the surface; however, it is still deficient to the point that it will not support marine life. Two, the lack of oxygen coupled with the decomposing peat creates an acidic environment. When you look at the waters of the bog you will notice that many of them are brownish in color. This is because of the tannic acid that is in the water. Suffice it to say, the moss that creeps over the water’s surface creates a hostile environment.
So it is with harboring grudges and wrongs committed against us. We hold on to the wrongs and let them grow and fester in our hearts and do not pay attention that those wrongs to which we are holding are choking out our joy and our relationship with God. We become toxic spiritually. For certain, all looks well on the surface, but deep within there is something of major importance that is missing.
In Scripture there are two main words used for forgiveness. The most used word is aphiemi which means “to send off; to hurl; to release; to let go; to release someone from a legal relation.” (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament Vol 1: 509) The idea of forgiveness is often used in relationship to God our Father. You and I have been forgiven a great sin debt – whether you’re a good person or a criminal. You and I are the reason Jesus Christ went to the Cross. You and I are the reason Jesus Christ suffered the humiliation and pain of death and separation from God the Father. He did that because there is no way that we can atone for our own sins. When we accept Christ as our Personal Savior we experience the forgiveness of God. Even after we are saved we still sin. And, because God is a faithful God, He still forgives.
Because the God who saved is forgives, as His blood bought children, we are called to forgive others. We are called to let go of the offense committed against us. We are called to allow God to exercise vengeance or grace against that person. Forgiveness is us letting go and allowing God to handle it from that point on. I will tell you that it is difficult at times to forgive. Many times we harbor an offense committed against us for years. It becomes our comfort. It becomes our excuse to behave as we do. In truth, it becomes our sphagnum moss carpeting, and our hearts transform from the beautiful, vibrant lake to the dead, acidic bog.
In many places in Scripture we are called to forgive others. God understands more than you or I why we need to forgive. What we are responsible to do is to forgive others – to let go of the wrong and the right for revenge. The other word that is used for forgiveness is a poignant reminder of why we need to forgive. The word is charizomai and it has as its root, grace. When we forgive we reflect the grace that has been shown to us.
Don’t you think that it is time to let go of the hurts and the offenses and reflect the grace of God? Allow God to work in you to forgive as you ought. Pray for each other that God will give us all the grace to forgive. Pray for each other that God will help us to live out a live – not only of being forgiven – but also of forgiveness.
