A critical spirit is a critical spirit, even when you try to cloak it with righteousness. An unforgiving heart is an unforgiving heart, whether it is directed inward to oneself, or outward to others. Forgiveness is a grace that flows both ways, or it doesn't flow at all. So here is a question for us this morning. First, this observation.
Forgiveness is a choice.
Some people actively refuse to forgive, as a matter of principle, or because they are afraid of making themselves vulnerable to ever being hurt again. But when we refuse to forgive, we miss the point that forgiveness is primarily for our own sake, not for the sake of the persons who have hurt us. The people we need to forgive may not know or agree that they need to be forgiven. They may not remember their offense. It is we ourselves who need to do the letting go of past injury, in order to be healed, and able to live and love again.