Nothing is more critical to our skeletal structure than the spine. Using the analogy of the human body to understand discipleship, I would suggest that our spiritual spine is also critical. Our physical spine has three connected, very important parts (L1, L2, L3) which we take for granted until something goes wrong. Then we are forced to recognize how integrated and dependent our whole body is on the spinal column. Likewise, we can imagine that our spiritual “spine” has three corresponding parts that give form and strength to our spiritual body: reconciliation (L1), adoption (L2), and naturalization (L3).
The process of discipleship is supported by this skeletal structure. As our spiritual life grows, so should our understanding of these three core realities. Much of the spiritual pain we experience can be traced to our “spiritual spine”. In the next several blogs, I want to explore our spiritual spine beginning with reconciliation (L1).
The term reconciliation means to restore harmony or friendship. For example, when an accountant’s books are “reconciled,” the figures fit together in unity. Or, when a personal relationship is reconciled, parties that were in conflict are realigned into harmony.
In the Bible, RECONCILIATION is used to describe the reuniting of man in relationship with God; it is the central theme of the gospel. The original, created design of harmony between God, man and nature was disrupted by man’s rebellion.
The good news of the gospel is that this relationship, having been lost, is now once again made possible through the substitutionary death of Christ on the cross. This substitution means not only that his death takes the place of ours (Isa. 53:6; 1 Peter 3:18) but that He takes our sin and credits (imputes) us with His righteousness (Rom 4:3-6). This offer of reconciliation through forgiveness changes everything. That is why Paul tells us we are now “new creations in Christ” (2 Cor. 5:17).
Through the substitutionary work of Christ on the cross, the penalty of all our sin is paid and God’s justice is satisfied. His abundant love and sacrificial mercy He took the initiative to remove the barrier of our past and future sin to make reconciliation with Him possible.
Biblical reconciliation has three interconnected concepts: FORGIVENESS, PARDON, and JUDGEMENT. I will focus on forgiveness in this blog and discuss the other two in future blogs.
In today’s culture, forgiveness has taken on a psychological health role rather than a biblical one. Rather than seeking reconciliation and a restored relationship the purpose is to help the person manage the pain of a relational conflict. For example, check any modern dictionary or psychological handbook and you will find something like this: Forgiveness: “to stop being angry with someone who has done something wrong” (Cambridge Dictionary).
Or “Forgiveness is the intentional and voluntary process by which a victim undergoes a change in feelings and attitude regarding an offense, lets go of negative emotions such as resentment and vengeance, and with an increased ability to wish the offender well” (Wikipedia).
Psychologists generally define forgiveness as a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness or have repented of what they did.
This intrapersonal or “therapeutic” model of forgiveness can also permeate the Christian culture, but it is NOT the Biblical use of “forgiveness.”
Certainly the Bible talks about the importance of releasing anger, resentment, and vengeance. Paul calls on the believers in the city of Ephesus: “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” (Ephesians. 4:31-32).
Notice that Paul identifies several responses that are to characterize believers:
1. Put away bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, malice
2. Be kind, tender-hearted
4. Forgiving each other just as God in Christ has forgiven you
Look at these again. They are related but distinct; separate responses.
Biblical forgiveness (reconciliation), while it is a gracious offer, is also conditional. The response necessary for forgiveness to be effective and reconciliation to be realized is repentance.
“Jesus recognized that there are conditions to be fulfilled before forgiveness can be granted. Forgiveness is part of a mutual relationship; the other part is the repentance of the offender. God does not forgive without repentance, nor is it required of man. The effect of forgiveness is to restore to its former state the relationship which was broken by sin. Such a restoration requires the cooperation of both parties. There must be both a granting and an acceptance of the forgiveness.” (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)
The purpose of therapeutic forgiveness is to restore YOUR mental and emotional health by putting away bitterness, anger and a host of destructive responses. Biblical forgiveness is more than a change in attitude towards another person; its goal is to achieve restoration of the relationship. God doesn’t forgive us to feel better. He forgives because He desires our relationship.
Chris Brauns, in his book Unpacking Forgiveness defines God’s forgiveness as: “A commitment by the one true God to pardon graciously those who repent and believe so that they are reconciled to him, although this commitment does not eliminate all consequences”.1
Paul uses the biblical model of forgiveness to instruct us in how we are to “forgive others as God in Christ has forgiven you.” Jesus said, “If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again (repentance) and asks forgiveness, you must forgive” (Luke 17:3-4). In this model there is repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
Next we will look at reconciliation through the lens of a legal pardon.
Question for reflection:
Notice the characteristics of God’s forgiveness:
1. It is unmerited, but not free (John 3:16)
2. It does not eliminate all consequences (Heb. 12:10-11, 2 Sam 12:7-15)
3. It aims at reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:17-21; Eph. 2:13))
4. It is motivated by love for the offender (1 John 4:10)
5. It is an interpersonal transaction (Luke 24:47)
6. It is conditional (Acts 20:21)
How does this contrast with popular therapeutic forgiveness?
1 Unpacking Forgiveness, Chris Brauns, Crossway, p 61
