Today’s guest blogger is Lesley Eischen. Lesley describes
herself as a Christ following, Midwestern wife and homeschooling mom who enjoys
learning as much as teaching. With an affinity for ‘narrow passages’. “Enter
by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to
destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is
narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Matthew 7:13-14 ESV You can find more of Lesley’s writing at thehallowedpath.wordpress.com.
Today’s blog is reposted with permission.
From Forgiven To Forgiving: Learning to Forgive
One Another God’s Way By Jay E. Adams
Coming
from a background of theological gallimaufry it quickly became clear once I
began studying Reformed theology that I had a lot of unlearning and relearning
onward.
One of the areas where I
believe I was vastly inept, and continue to wrestle through, is in the area of
FORGIVENESS.
“Before we
can enter into any lasting relationship with another, we must learn how to
forgive since we all hurt one another. The Bible says, “forgiving one another…”
If does not simply say, ‘forgiving others,” but, “forgiving one another.” It is
a mutual cooperative adventure. Not only do we need to forgive, we also need to
receive forgiveness. It is the indispensable sign of a Christian.”
I had been taught strands
of the therapeutic and worldly views for the most part. Not the Biblical view.
There were certain Biblical elements but these views left gaping holes where
TRUTH was absent and authentic reconciliation was void or not even the mission.
In From Forgiven to Forgiving,
Dr. Adams begins by establishing the foundation that forgiveness is our
greatest need.
“Forgiveness
– what a wonderful thing it is! Forgiveness is man’s greatest need. Without it
he is doomed to spend eternity in hell suffering for his sins. With it, he will
spend eternity in heaven with God enjoying the eternal fruits of Christ’s
righteousness.”
He provides a definition of
what forgiveness is and the task of walking out forgiveness in a Biblical
manner through a multitude of scenarios though not exhaustive by any means.
“Now, what
is that declaration? What does God do when He goes on record saying that our
sins are forgiven? God makes a promise. Forgiveness is not a feeling;
forgiveness is a promise!”
One prominent aspect was the understanding that forgiveness is not
simply a feeling. It helped to liken it to our own salvation for the times when
we don’t feel saved. Embracing
the knowledge that we are not saved through how we feel but
rather through the merciful act of Christ
upon his crucifixion.
There’s great assurance in this understanding that will bring comfort
to the weary soul while providing Biblical guidance in applying forgiveness in
our daily lives; not out of feeling but
out of love and obedience.
“The
evidence is clear that all sin is sin against God, but also that much sin is
also against man.”
Dr. Adams addresses many
facets and misconceptions of forgiveness such as forgiving ourselves, the
concept of apologizing, deciphering guilt and what to do with it, restitution
and many others.
“Forgiveness
is clearing the rubble of the past so that something fresh and fine may be
built in its place.”
From
Forgiven to Forgiving is
a volume I will revisit often in light of Scripture when the need arises and
offer it to others as a resource for their personal lives and counseling
shelves.
“Joy –
nothing less – should be the result of forgiveness.”
Labels: Book Review - Eischen - From Forgiven to Forgiving