Meditations

"Forgiveness is like a violet sending forth its pure fragrance on the heel of the boot of the one who crushed it."

~Author Unknown

Forgiveness is love, grace, and mercy in action. The three bound together in prayer produce true, genuine forgiveness. Love overlooks a hurt inflicted whether unintentional or on purpose. It is not concerned about the pain received, but the person who caused the pain. Grace looks to the cross and acknowledges that Christ already paid the penalty for the wrong committed and chooses to forget the offense because it was paid for by the blood of Christ. Mercy pours out upon the offender as love overlooks and grace forgets the hurt caused and the offense committed. In essence, forgiveness is the gift of mercy given in love and wrapped in grace, bought by the blood of Christ that was shed on the cross.

Forgiveness is to be given freely no matter what the circumstances may be because its price has already been paid by another. Since Christ has forgiven us our sins so we too must forgive others their sins. The price of an unforgiving spirit will cost more than any of us can pay. When we refuse to forgive, we deteriorate from the inside out, consumed by our bitterness.

Forgiveness is not easy, but it is what children of God are called to do. It can only be bestowed as we fix our eyes on Jesus who has already forgiven us, relying upon Him for strength and help to put love, grace, and mercy into action. He alone can and will enable us to follow in His steps. As a violet releases its beautiful fragrance when it is crushed so we should be the same way by forgiving others in a spirit of love.