The Testimony of Forgiveness

"If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins,

O Lord, who could stand?

But with You there is forgiveness;

therefore You are feared."

Psalm 130.3-4

What does forgiveness do? Think about it: we've sinned against God, breaking relationship with Him. As we seek forgiveness, we recognize and take ownership of our faults.

It is interesting that one result of forgiveness is interpreted above as "You [God] are feared." This fear is the Hebrew word yare, which means both to be afraid and to respect. When used in relation to God, this word tends to mean to honor, respect, and hold in awe.

Let's consider this: when another person sins against us, regardless of the size of the offense, what does it say about our faith if we do not forgive? Do we then live up to our claim to truly be disciples of a forgiving God? But if instead we are able to forgive even the greatest offenses against us, we are witnesses to the fact that we know what true forgiveness is because we have learned it through our relationship with God. Thus, our forgiveness and desire for reconciliation with others becomes part of our witness to the majesty of God. Instead of being viewed as unforgiving hypocrites, people are able to see the work of God in us through forgiveness: in other words, our act of forgiveness can show Him to others. Through seeing His Spirit of redemptive power present in us, they themselves can be drawn to Him!

Bibliography

Goodrick, Edward W. and John R. Kohlenberger. Zondervan NIV Exhaustive Concordance. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1999. Print.

NIV Archaeological Study Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005. Print.