No Harm in Forgiveness

It is no secret that every relationship has struggle. We hurt each other, normally unintentionally. We say hurtful words. We sometimes get into patterns of anger that hinder us from reconciliation. We think, wrongly, that if we forgive each other, we will be the loser in the argument.

Brethren, my joy is the joy of you all. For I wrote you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you. But if any one has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure – not to put it too severely – to you all. For such a one this punishment by the majority is enough; so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, for he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. Any one whom you forgive, I also forgive. What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, to keep Satan from gaining the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his designs. When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, a door was opened for me in the Lord; but my mind could not rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia. But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.

2^nd Corinthians 2.3-15

Today’s reading from Saint Paul captured my attention when he writes, “Any one whom you forgive, I also forgive.” He said this to keep Satan from victory. When we resist forgiveness, we aren’t maintaining our stronghold. Instead, we are giving victory to Satan.

When we refuse to forgive, we remain separated from our loved ones. That is victory for Satan, the great divider. When we forgive each other, we may ‘lose’ the present argument, but the loss is only temporary. The real victory when we forgive is against Satan.

Think of all the times you have refused to forgive. The very sight of the person churns up anger and anxiety. How can we call those feelings victory? Living in constant anger is living in hell. That is victory for Satan. Nobody wants victory for Satan.

Now think of the feelings of relief and comfort when you forgive and are forgiven. You no longer see the other with anger, but joy in the restored relationship. You no longer avoid spending time with each other. You are no longer divided and your relationship is restored. That is victory for Christ.

When Christ wins, we all win. Let’s face it. There is no harm in forgiveness. Forgiveness is victory.