“By clearing away some of the confusion about forgiveness, we lay the foundation for our own freedom. The stone wall encasing our hearts can be broken, freeing us from our rocks of resentment.”- June Hunt
June Hunt begins Chapter 3(“Stone Her! Stone Her! What Forgiveness Is, What Forgiveness Isn’t”) of How to Forgive by citing John’s account of The Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8:1-11). June states that this passage of Scripture is filled with “the heart of compassion and the hope of forgiveness.”
No one, in truth, desires to be like the stone throwers in this story. However, when we won’t loosen our grip and let our stones fall to the ground, we become just like those stone throwers. Even though we want others to drop their stones, we are quite reluctant to drop ours. June stresses that this reluctance is based on a misunderstanding of what forgiveness is and is not.
Ms. Hunt explores seven misunderstandings about forgiveness. The first misconception is discussed today.
1. Forgiveness is not a natural response- but rather supernatural. So many people try to muster their own strength and determination when it comes to forgiveness. They try to do it alone. But they continue to seethe with resentment and rage because they haven’t entrusted their lives to Christ, allowing Him to give them His strength to forgive. We need both Christ’s presence and power in order to forgive. Forgiveness isn’t natural. It only happens when we surrender to God’s will and tap into His strength.
Today’s question: Do you have any confusion about forgiveness? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Forgiveness and reconciliation”
