During the Easter season, we celebrate the gift of God’s mercy through Christ’s sacrifice for our sins. We are asked to show others the same degree of mercy. Forgiveness is the act of letting go of resentment and anger towards someone who has harmed us. Justice is the act of holding someone accountable for their actions with the goal stopping future harm, while at the same time restoring the societal balance of right and wrong. Some people may think that forgiveness and justice are incompatible, or that forgiving someone means giving up on justice. However, this is not necessarily the case.
Justice and forgiveness should go hand in hand. Forgiveness can mean many things, but true forgiveness is to benefit the one doing the forgiving. The act releases feelings of vengeance and resentment towards another person. Justice can also have multiple meanings, but true justice occurs when some form of restitution is made, the offender repents of their wrongdoings, and hopefully reconciles with their victims. Only after having achieved these goals can true reconciliation occur for all parties.
For people who believe in eternal life, forgiveness is not a suggestion, it is a mandate. Forgiveness benefits all parties and can free us from the burden of bitterness and hatred, and allow us to heal and move on with our lives. Forgiveness can also open the door for compassion and empathy, and help us to see the humanity of the person who hurt us. In addition, it can also reflect the grace and mercy of God, who forgives us for our sins through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We all sin, desiring personal forgiveness from Jesus, and that is exactly what He expects us to do for others.
Forgiveness should happen regardless if justice is done, because they are not dependent on one another. Forgiveness is a choice that we make, not a condition to be imposed. Forgiveness does not mean that we ignore or deny the harm that was done to us, or that we condone or excuse the offender’s behavior. Mercy does not mean that we give up on seeking justice or restitution, or that we let the offender off the hook. Forgiveness means that we release the offender from our personal judgment and leave the matter to the authorities and to the ultimate judge; God.
The act of forgiveness is not easy, and it may take time and effort to achieve. Forgiveness is not a one-time event, but a process that may involve stages of anger, grief, acceptance, and healing. Forgiveness is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength and courage. Forgiveness is not a gift that we give to the offender, but a gift that we give to ourselves and to God. Forgiveness is a mandate to love as Jesus loves so that we can have peace, joy, and freedom.
If this is my last post, I want all to know there was only one purpose for all that I have written; to have made a positive difference in the lives of others.
Anthony “Tony” Boquet, the author of “The Bloodline of Wisdom, The Awakening of a Modern Solutionary”
