The Gift of Forgiveness

By Griselda Lua

Los Angeles, California, USA

Scriptures:

• Matthew 26:26-28
• Ephesians 1:7-8
• 1 John 1:8-9

Take a moment to remember how you felt as a child anticipating Christmas, or whichever holiday your family celebrated? What decorative sights were your favorite? Did your family have a special holiday tradition? What tastes and smells did you like best? What was your favorite gift as a young child?

As we journey through Advent, we prepare our hearts to celebrate the incredible gift of Christ. Central to this season is the profound gift of forgiveness, a theme woven throughout Scripture. 

Not all gifts are the same, but the value is determined by the cost to the giver and amplified by the gratitude of the receiver. Growing up in the United States, as a young daughter of Mexican immigrant parents, I learned early on to be content with the essential things. We were taught to value family, food, and fun. At Christmas time, each child received only one gift, and it was usually something useful like socks or a sweater. One year my brother opened a pack of underwear! Although my siblings knew that these practical items came at a sacrifice to our parents, we did not fully understand, nor appreciate, their significance. Likewise, as children of God, we can easily fall into the trap of simply knowing versus fully understanding the marvelous gift of forgiveness. 

No wonder Jesus instructed His disciples to regularly break bread together in remembrance of Him. In Matthew 26:26-28, Jesus speaks of His blood, shed for many for the forgiveness of sins. It is very possible that this moment was not fully understood by the apostles. We know that during Jesus' earthly lifetime, they were often distracted by many worldly concerns that still plaque us today. Some were distracted by politics: When was Jesus going to take back governmental power from the Romans and restore the kingdom of Israel (John 18:36; Acts 1:6-8)? Some were distracted by leadership disagreements: Who was going to be Jesus’ right-hand man (Mark 10:35-37)? While others were distracted by financial struggles: How could Jesus expect them to spend so much money (Mark 6:37)? 

What Jesus shared with them during the Last Supper, encapsulates the very essence of His mission – to reconcile us to God. As maturing disciples, the very act of remembering this sacrifice during Advent deepens our appreciation for the lengths He went to secure our forgiveness. Reflecting on His love, poured out in such a sacrificial way, ought to transform our understanding of grace. The next time we partake of the fruit of the vine and the unleavened bread, we ought to pause, take a deep breath, and endeavor to go beyond ritual into the sacred act of receiving a priceless gift from Jesus Himself. 

Gifts, by their nature, are freely given. Ephesians 1:7-8 expands on this idea, stating, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished upon us.” Here, we see not only forgiveness but the abundance of grace. It is a gift you and I do not earn, but rather, one that is lavished upon us.

As a freshman in college, someone invited my then-boyfriend to a grass volleyball game followed by a “Bible talk.” He loved it, invited me, and after four months of wrestling with God’s word, I made Jesus Lord of my life on August 31, 1992. Why? To be honest, I initially rejected the idea of becoming a Christian because I thought God wanted something from me; and as a strong-willed 18-year-old, I had just started being the boss of my life and was not about to relinquish that so easily. The more I dug into the promises of God, the more it became clear that He wanted something for me, instead. He was offering me freedom from sin and guilt. He was offering me peace and healing, hope and a purpose, His kindness and love in my life. Once I finally understood this, I gratefully received His gift of forgiveness. The result was wholehearted and enthusiastic surrender to His service.

Have you ever heard the riddle, “Which came first – the chicken or the egg?”? The arguments are circular. The question itself is a paradox designed to make us think about how everything is interconnected. Spiritually speaking, which comes first – surrender or forgiveness?

In 1 John 1:8-9, we read, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” This verse reminds us that acknowledgment of sin, confession of wrongdoing, and embracing the forgiveness God offers, is in our hands. This involves an ongoing commitment to spiritual growth, repentance, and a life of authenticity and grace. It’s a call to walk in the light of God’s truth and to extend the same forgiveness we’ve received to others. We don’t earn our forgiveness with surrender; He died once and for all sin. However, surrender is a core part of the forgiveness process because it involves opening our hearts to the possibility of healing and reconciliation, both with God and with others. It’s the willingness to let go of one’s own control. Thus, forgiveness and surrender are interconnected and allow space for the transformative power of grace.

This Advent, as we reflect on the coming of Christ, let us embrace the gift of forgiveness. It invites us to release our burdens and to extend grace to others. In a world that often forgets the power of forgiveness, may we be ambassadors of His love, living out this beautiful gift in our relationships. Let us prepare our hearts, ready to receive and share the immeasurable grace we have in Christ.

Questions for Reflection:

Here are 3 questions and a prayer to help you more deeply live out the gift of forgiveness:

1. How does understanding that Jesus' sacrifice (Matthew 26:28) was given freely for my sins change the way I view my own worth and the worth of others around me?

2. Reflecting on Ephesians 1:7-8, how can I cultivate a heart of gratitude and grace toward others, particularly in situations where I feel tempted to hold onto grudges or resentments?

3. In what areas of my life do I struggle to accept God’s forgiveness, and how can I remind myself of His faithfulness as stated in 1 John 1:8-9? 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

I come to You, aware of my imperfections and grateful for Your unending grace. Thank You for the forgiveness You freely offer, washing away my sins and renewing my spirit. Help me to embrace this gift fully and to extend that same grace to others in my life. As I reflect on the depths of Your love, may my heart be transformed, leading me to live in harmony and understanding. Fill me with compassion and guide my actions so that they reflect Your mercy. Thank You for the redemption I find in You.

In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

About the Author:

Griselda Lua has been a faithful disciple of Jesus since 1992 and was baptized in the Los Angeles Church while she was a pre-med student attending Occidental College. Shortly after, she was prompted by the Holy Spirit to serve in the full-time ministry.

In the past three decades, she has served in both English and Spanish ministries and has championed missionary efforts in Eurasia and Latin America. She and her husband, Rafael, serve as the senior ministers for the Lifeway LA region and current representatives for the Pacific Southwest family of churches in the ICOC. Griselda is honored to have served for three years on the Board of Directors of HOPE worldwide.

She has mentored and raised up several young female leaders to become excellent church builders who raise up others, as well. Her current passion is practicing and teaching life altering spiritual practices like Christian meditation, breath prayer, and Lectio Divina. She is the blessed mother of three wonderful young adults and an adorable Shih Tzu.