On this edition of “Dear Joni” hear her answer a tough listener’s question about forgiveness. Joni’s insight from Scripture will surely inspire you to truly forgive.
Ask Joni a question here!
SHAUNA: Welcome to Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. And here we are with another edition of “Dear Joni.”
JONI: That’s right.
SHAUNA: We have heard from so many of you listening friends who have a question that just keeps coming up. For example, many of you want to know Joni’s thoughts on forgiveness.
JONI: Okay.
SHAUNA: Joni, there are listeners like Pam who have a big problem with it. “I know Scripture requires us to forgive,” says Pam. “But there are so many people with whom I struggle to forgive! [They are people] I dislike, I’m disappointed with their choices, or I feel hurt by them. And Joni, I hope you’ll decide to speak on that subject soon. Thank you very much.” And that’s from Pam.
JONI: Well, we are going to speak on it soon, I mean, today.
SHAUNA: Let’s do it!
JONI: And Pam, first, let me guess – I don’t know. I just bet you want to be like Jesus. I’m supposing you’re a young Christian woman who wants to know Christ better and how you can delight Him. Well, Pam, if Jesus walked up to you, as you sit at your desk today, you’d probably drop to your knees, thank Him for dying on the cross for you, and then you might ask, “Oh, Jesus, what can I do to really, really please you?” Now, in this imaginary situation, Jesus could give so many different answers. But knowing that there’s resentment burning in your heart, Jesus might say, “Pam, if you want to please me [or be like me or know me], then forgive those people with whom you struggle. It’s no mistake that I placed them in your life because through them, I am testing you.” And then, Jesus might reach for that Bible on your desk, and He might flip to Matthew 6 and read His own words to you recorded in verses 14 and 15 where it says, “If you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Oh, Pam, so, if you have received God’s forgiveness, you will become a forgiving person. If you are indeed a Christian, you are not allowed to keep score, or fault others, or remain at your distance. Jesus says in Luke 6, “forgive, and you will be forgiven.” So, take time to think about Jesus on His cross, yet saying to those who crucified Him, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.” Well, Pam, right there, Jesus modeled the forgiving spirit that He commands.
And sure, the Christian life is hard Pam, but the gospel requires a lot of things we don’t naturally want to do. And forgiveness is not merely a suggestion so that you know, you can have harmonious relationships. No, forgiveness is the necessary evidence that you know Jesus Christ. So, here’s what I suggest: start praying that God will give you the want to want to forgive those who have hurt or disappointed you. Ask God to give you the heart of Jesus toward them. It may be God wants to use you as the vessel through whom He can reach them with His love. And Pam, should you want to learn more, write us here at the ministry because we’d love to pray for you and for those friends! And oh, Shauna, I’m sorry I went on so here, but Pam’s question really gripped me.
SHAUNA: Well, Joni, I think a lot of us needed to hear those insights. And as you said, forgiveness is not optional; it’s the expected response from those who name Christ as their Lord and Savior.
JONI: Wow.
SHAUNA: And as far as our time together goes, let’s pick up our other questions from listeners very soon. Listening friends, tune in next time to hear from Joni. And Pam, thank you for asking about forgiveness. And we invite you to learn more on that subject at joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends