Forgiveness and the Removal of Guilt

Brent Colby

We don’t like forgiveness as much as we like to avoid consequences. Avoiding responsibility is often the sole aim of “forgiveness” as we understand it today. However, to forgive someone is not to remove consequences as much as it is to remove guilt. Every Jesus follower should understand two things: we are required to forgive and that there is a clear difference between forgiveness and consequence.

Sin happens when we disobey God. We can sin against others also when we treat them outside of God’s commands. I know that someone has sinned against you. They may have gossiped, stolen, or physically hurt you. Because God has forgiven you, he requires you to forgive those who have offended you. Consider Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” The forgiven are required to forgive. This may seem unfair at first until we realize that which God has forgiven us. We are sinners, saved by the grace of God alone, through the work of Jesus Christ. He took upon himself every injustice for all eternity. This includes, of course, the sins of those who “trespass against us.” Can you not forgive someone who Jesus is willing to forgive? Is your justice more exacting and righteous than that of Christ? No, I don’t think so. If you are willing to accept the great injustice that is your salvation, then you must also be willing to model that same graciousness toward others.

Forgiveness does not mean forgetting. It would be unwise to place your trust in an untrustworthy person. When we forgive someone, we do not remove the consequences of their actions. We remove the guilt of their action. To take away guilt is to remove ourselves from the seat of judgement. We pardon their sin, and in doing so, humble ourselves before the Lord and place our trust in his judgement alone. This does not mean that the consequences of an action are null and void. If you break my window, I can forgive you and still ask you to pay for a new window. If you rob me of my possessions, I can forgive you while you go to prison. Eternal vindication does not always invalidate temporal consequence.

Forgive others as Christ has forgiven you. Contemplate how profoundly you have been forgiven and humble yourself before Christ and allow him to serve as the judge. You will find freedom here and feel empowered through the gospel of Jesus.