For many of us, we grew up learning about respect, fairness, peace and forgiveness through our interactions with our siblings. It’s not that these virtues come naturally. Many times we only know about them because of their absence in said relationships. That’s often when our parents, in their love for us, step in and teach us what’s right. We “must” respect, forgive and be fair.
It’s tempting to hear the words of Jesus, “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions,” and interpret them as the attitude of a parent who is simply doing what is right and what is fair. But looking at our heavenly Father through a deeper lens, we know that He is not one that simply holds things over us until we do what is right. This is a God who wishes us to forgive because otherwise we are not free from sin. Not only do we carry the sin inflicted upon us, but an unforgiving heart can also fall into the sins of pride, self-righteousness and arrogance, to name a few. When we let go, then we are free, then we are forgiven.
Forgiving is something that can take time, lots of time, but it brings us the freedom that God wants for all his children. What a good Father we have.