Forgiveness is not merely an attitude or a feeling of release felt towards another person. On the contrary, this would be an anemic view of the breath and depth of forgiveness. Forgiveness is a transaction.
This is to say that the one who forgives actual gives something to the one who is forgiven while the one who is forgiven, knowingly or not, actually gives something to the forgiver. The 'thing' that is given, transacted upon forgiveness is love. Quite simply, forgiveness is the love in the highest sense.
The one who forgives takes on te guilt and transgression of the one forgiven while the one forgiven releases the forgiver of any compulsion to revulsion or anger. Truly, the purpose of forgiveness is the mending of relationships, reconciliation being the goal in view.
At the final analysis, forgiveness is not something to be viewed lightly or with any sort of flippancy for it is central to the meaning and purpose of the Gospel of Christ Jesus. As Christ has forgiveness us, He has taken our guilt and shame upon Himself while absolving us from the same. Let us then revive the seriousness of forgiveness in our minds so that we may most accurately understand what it means for our salvation and for our lives.
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