What Is Forgiveness Not?

• Forgiveness is not circumventing God’s justice.…

— It is allowing God to execute His justice in His time and in His way.

• Forgiveness is not waiting for “time to heal all wounds.” …

— It is clear that time doesn’t heal wounds—some people will not allow healing.

• Forgiveness is not letting the guilty “off the hook.” …

— It is moving the guilty from your hook to God’s hook.

• Forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation.…

— It takes two for reconciliation, only one for forgiveness.

• Forgiveness is not excusing unjust behavior.…

— It is acknowledging that unjust behavior is without excuse, while still forgiving.

• Forgiveness is not explaining away the hurt.…

— It is working through the hurt.

• Forgiveness is not based on what is fair.…

— It was not “fair” for Jesus to hang on the cross—but He did so that we could be forgiven.

• Forgiveness is not being a weak martyr.…

— It is being strong enough to be Christlike.

• Forgiveness is not stuffing your anger.…

— It is resolving your anger by releasing the offense to God.

• Forgiveness is not a natural response.…

— It is a supernatural response, empowered by God.

• Forgiveness is not denying the hurt.…

— It is feeling the hurt and releasing it.

• Forgiveness is not being a doormat.…

— It is seeing that, if this were so, Jesus would have been the greatest doormat of all!

• Forgiveness is not conditional.…

— It is unconditional, a mandate from God to everyone.

• Forgiveness is not forgetting.…

— It is necessary to remember before you can forgive.

• Forgiveness is not a feeling.…

— It is a choice—an act of the will.

W. Austin Gardner