Forgive and They Won’t Forget

 I forgive you.

  Three of the most powerful words in all of language.  Forgiveness is a treasure some folks are desperately searching for. A treasure that in a lot of the world is very hard to find.

  I think about what Hebrews says about Esau in chapter 12 and verse 17, “ For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.”  For Esau no matter how much he wanted to find repentance and to get back what he lost, he never got the chance.  For many forgiveness is unavailable.

  That is why it is so powerful when not only do we forgive but also show others how to find forgiveness. Everyone has a past, but not everyone has a future, at least not a future with hope and forgiveness. Yet they can find it, if we will help them. That is why the Bible is so clear on our requirement to forgive. "But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions" (Mark 11:26).

  Forgiveness given is forgiveness found.

  I don’t know who needs to hear those words, but they can make a difference they never will forget