Beyond Forgiveness
Forgiveness is arguably one of the most challenging instructions that Jesus gave us to follow. Logically, we understand that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23) and that to be forgiven we need to be willing to forgive others (Matthew 6:14-15). It seems as if the issue is straightforward, and if we did what Jesus said, life would be peachy. Why then do so many of us, me included, find it hard to move beyond forgiveness?
I know when I have been hurt in the past, even when I pray through the situation, I can sometimes find myself judging my perpetrator the moment I see or thinking of them again. Accusations run rampant in my mind and deep down I want some sense of justice that I feel has gone amiss.
As I was reading through the bible recently I came across the scene of the woman caught in adultery in John 8:1-11. She, and her missing partner, had betrayed their loved ones, causing great harm. This was an act so serious in Levitical law that the punishment was death by stoning. The teachers of the law dragged her sin out into the open for all to see. The scribes were there to make sure that the letter of the law was upheld. They had the right to accuse her and to demand she be punished. They put her on display at the temple, repeatedly accusing her in front of all who would listen.
They put her on display in front of Jesus and asked him what he would say.
I imagine at that moment the crowd fell silent, watching and waiting to see how Jesus would respond. Would he join their accusations? How could he not? If he was who he said he was, wouldn’t he uphold the law? She was guilty after all, there were witnesses there to testify.
When he could accuse, Jesus chose silence.
It was this moment of silence that spoke volumes to my forgiveness problem. If the one person who could have accused her of her sin did not, then that is probably what I should do.
Jesus chose not to accuse the sinner.
Jesus knew who the true accuser was behind this scene. It was not the teachers and scribes but the one who continually tried to test him. The one known as ‘the accuser of the brethren’ (Revelations 12:10). Satan thrives on accusation, it describes his character so much that it is the name given to him by Rabbis. He is good at tempting people to sin and he is good at provoking people to accuse one another for it.
It struck me that when I keep accusing my brethren, even if I feel justified, I am partnering with Satan rather than Jesus.
Forgiveness means that I choose to be like Jesus and I stop hurling accusations at my brethren – no matter what they have done.
If that wasn’t enough food for thought, Jesus had more to say, as the passage continued.
His actions were not only gracious and forgiving to the adulterous woman, but to her accusers, those who came to oppose him, to trap him, to harm him. He offers the earthly accusers an out as much as he is about to offer the woman.
Under Jewish law if a false accusation is made the accusers can be put under the same death sentence. Jesus was not only saving the woman, but saving the accusers from having the tables quickly turned against them. If they could not make a good case against her, they too could be having their final day at the temple gates.
“When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."- John 8:7
“At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.”- John 8:9
When someone has sinned, the best thing for them is not to be submitted to accusations and stoning, but to be left alone with Jesus.
He is the only one who can make a pure judgement call on one’s life. Jesus knows how to reach deep inside one's heart and change them. He knows how to convict without condemnation and break the sin cycle so what was done will never happen again.
Let’s stop partnering with the Accuser of the brethren and instead partner with the Advocate who came to save, and move beyond forgiveness. Don’t get caught in the age old trap that keeps us in division and diversion instead of unity and peace. Lay down the stones and pick up your prayers for one another and follow Jesus’s example.
How can you move beyond forgiveness today?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Charissa Steffens is a teacher with a background in business and publishing. Passionate about strengthening the Body of Christ she holds a Master of Arts (Biblical Studies) and ministers through the spoken and written word. She writes for the love of it at her blog www.abidingmatters.com.au. She serves in her home church Nexus in Brisbane, Australia. And is oh so happily married to David with whom she has two beautiful children, Elisha and Lucas.