Forgiveness (Colossians 3:13)

"Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye" (Col. 3:13).

It is noteworthy to observe that there is no factor of contingency as relates to the parties in question here. Forgiveness is altogether void of qualifiers. There will be many times that we are offended without any remorse and with seeming impunity as respecting our offender. Whatever the case is regarding the state of the offender - i.e. whether they are sorrowfully, contrite, and truly penitent - it is no less than Christ-like that we are forgiving of one another. The nature of the offense is no matter of importance either seeing that Christ forgave us all manner of sin. It is always easier to forgive those who repent and ask for our forgiveness as opposed to those that do not. But how shall we ever grow in grace if there is no strain on our part? What profit is it if we love only those who love us (Matthew 5:46)? Or if we salute our brethren only (Matthew 5:47)? Should we not rather pursue a higher level of perfection and righteousness than that which the Pharisees had, but only outwardly attained to (Matthew 5:48)? Let us not worry so much about the motives of others, whether they be right or wrong, and instead make sure that our spiritual attitude is one which is marked by that high grace and righteous act (Mat. 5:20 ff) of forgiveness. Let God be the judge of others and we ourselves be as we are: forgiven; and how we ought to be--forgivers of others. Who knows but that grace may be wrought about in those with exceedingly hard hearts? Were our hearts any less hard than others? Are we not at risk of becoming bitter and finding out that our hearts have once more become hardened if we do not forgive? Is not our love of Christ the fruit of him having first loved us? And does not goodness bring about repentance? Were we not such sinners as these when Christ died for us? Are we not still as such sometimes? Let us imitate God on the matter of forgiveness. He so often forgives us and can we not do that which has been done for us? We must do away with any notion of justice on our part when it comes to the grace of forgiveness. What we seek is not justice but vengeance dressed in her clothes. It is not possible to err and go too far in forgiving. But if there was room for error, what a glorious way to err! It is better to forgive than not. And when at all in doubt--forgive. If we don't forgive neither will our Father in heaven forgive us. There is no justice to be had at all when it comes to this subject. We are faced with only three options: that of vengeance, bitterness, and that of forgiveness. Forgive and forget my friends (Isa 43:25).