Off the Hook

I have a friend who exhibits many of the godly attributes that I would like to attain. One is the easy way he forgives. Once there was something between us that I had caused. I called him and ask for his forgiveness. He was so gentle with his words. There was no I forgive you "but" used or implied. His forgiveness was so instant that it already seemed past tense. I knew that he had allowed me to be totally "off the hook." On that day I realized that God's forgiveness is just like that. He gives it easily and it is so instant that it is always past tense! God never has to decide if He is going to forgive us. That was done over 2000 years ago on the cross where all my sins were crucified with Him. Our sins have been (past tense) forgiven.

Imagine if in all our relationships that forgiveness was so instant…so complete that the supposed wrongs were simply not allowed to exist. What if we carried no grudges, didn't allow ourselves to exist in regrets, believed there were no justifiable resentments and let everyone, including ourselves, “off the hook”…instantly. Seems improbable and even impossible.

Jesus was asked if we should forgive someone seven times. His reply was “No we should forgive them “seventy times seven”. Lets face it. Most of us struggle enough with forgiving the first time. The second time is really tough and that’s reserved for those we really really care about. I don’t think the third one occurs very often and according to Jesus, when it comes to totally letting people "off the hook", we have 487 more forgiveness-es to go!

Sometimes we carry the poisons of resentment and unforgiveness because we simply do not want to let the person who has offended us "off the hook". And these poisons weaken us. While trying in this vain attempt to punish the other person we limit joy and peace from being fully expressed in our lives.

Don't confuse forgiveness with responsible living. We forgive a thief but we don't allow them access to the cash register until they have shown that they are no longer a thief. We forgive an abuser but we don't allow ourselves or our families to be in situations or locations where bad things could happen. And at the same time, don't we shouldn't try to replace forgiveness with simply living responsibly while carrying loads of resentment in our heart. Forgiveness sets us free!

Forgive easily…no "buts"...remove the poison....forgive instantly... release your joy...allow someone to be “off the hook”.

Letting Yourself "Off the Hook"

I once wrote most of the note below to a friend..someone who doesn't think that highly of themselves and who I happen to think is amazing. I wanted to remind them that loving yourself is essential to being able to really love the people in our lives. As I was reading this today I thought about how many of us struggle with this same thing.

 

It seems that this world is a difficult place to "love yourself". To allow this kind of thinking you must work against a current of words and thoughts that want to take you in a completely different direction.

I was thinking about Jesus words "love your neighbor as yourself". I am learning that you cannot give what you do not posess and how loving yourself really does increase your capacity to love others.

Also, you know how you set yourself free when you let go of resentments that you have for others? I have found that the same is true when I let go of resentments for myself...for things I have done or choices I have made. I have learned that embracing my life...my entire life...owning it...being thankful for it...these things are essential steps toward learning to love me. The me God created.

When you let go of resentments that you have held against yourself you essentially have let yourself "off the hook" and in so doing you free yourself up to love, forgive, and accept yourself and those around you in a much greater capacity.

You are an amazing and lovable person...let yourself off the hook and open the door to a new realm of loving.