“In transactional forgiveness, some amount of restoration is sought. You seek to reboot the relationship as much as the situation allows.”- Dr. Tony Evans
In Chapter 10 (“The Pleasure of Detours”) of Detours, Dr. Evans presents the topic of transactional forgiveness. Furthermore, he discusses this second topic as modeled in the life of Joseph. Transactional forgiveness:
- occurs when there’s a desire for reconciliation and repentance takes place
- when the offender(s) express(es) a willingness to confess
- reestablishes the relationship
- is reconciliation-driven
- needs to be proven first, depending on the severity of the offense
Therefore, Joseph gave his brothers a few tests to see if they’d truly experienced a change of heart. First, one brother travelled back to get Benjamin while Joseph put the rest of the brothers in prison. Next, Joseph up a cup in Benjamin’s bag to make it appear he’d stolen it. For in the past, the brothers meant Joseph harm due to their own jealousy. As Dr. Evans adds:
“Words only go so far. Repentance must be a change of action for it to be real.”
This reflects what the Bible calls “the fruits of repentance.” Granted, Dr. Evans notes, not all broken relationships result in restoration. In some relationships, restoration’s only possible up to a certain point. However, in order for any reconciling to occur, both sides must repent and forgive each other.
Today’s question: Has transactional forgiveness helped restore any relationships broken through your or vocation loss? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Where you experienced pain the most”
