“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15 KJV
Some years ago, I heard a minister say something in a sermon I’d never heard or considered in all my years in church, and I’m now experiencing it for myself. I can’t quote it, but the essence was that Jesus is not only the Substitute for our sins, the mediator between us and God, He is also the Substitute for us and our brothers’ sins, the mediator between us and our fellow humans. This dual position is at the root of this verse , and both parts must be understood, accepted, and applied for any of it to work.
Faith in Christ as the Substitute for all sin means we can go to Him when sin blocks our way to God or to others. He prayed for His Father to forgive His murderers because He knew they didn’t know fully what they were doing or the ripple effects it would have beyond that moment. You don’t know any more than they did, and neither does your brother. Christ sees and feels the wrong that was done; He knows the effects it will have on all around and in the future. When you come to Him in anger and sorrow over wrongs done to you, Christ acknowledges what happened, agrees that it was wrong, and apologizes sincerely for what His creation did to you and the harmful results you may now have to endure. He repays you the love you should have received and even more. Where sin abounds, grace much more abounds! His love not only heals the brokenness and scars, it also fortifies you for the future. He promises His presence with you if you will walk with Him.
Has anyone wronged you? Whether they’ve apologized already or not, have you gone to Christ to hear the words they can’t say? Try it. In prayer pour out to God what happened from your perspective, how it made you feel, and the effects it’s had on you since then. If it’s hard to say, try to write or draw it out. If you need help finding the words, a professional counselor may be able to help. God will listen to you, let you cry or scream or rage. Take your time. You may think or say things that surprise, shock, or frighten you, but you won’t surprise or offend God. All He really wants is for you to come to Him as you truly are without pretense.
When you’ve gotten it all out, listen to God. He may tell you things you didn’t know or hadn’t considered, or share with you how He feels about it or them. There may be action He asks you to take to fully release all you’ve been holding in. It may be difficult to do, it may challenge your understanding, but it will heal you. Once you accept it, the healing will be like few things you’ve ever experienced. You have to try it to believe me. It may take some time, so don’t rush or give up too early. He is patient. I’d love to hear how it goes.
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