If you're a Christ-follower, you are a forgiver. It's in our redeemed DNA. Scriptural evidence is overwhelming. We are instructed and empowered to forgive.
Ephesians 4:32 is a great example: "Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you."
For the Christian leader, forgiveness has an added dimension. We must keep "short accounts." If someone has offended you, don't let the offenses add up. Release or confront. Don't store up.
Why is this different for leaders? Because we bear responsibility for those we shepherd. Remember Hebrews 13:17? Our work is "to watch over their souls" because we are "accountable to God."
Is the picture clear so far?
Christians forgive.
Leaders forgive bigger.
Why?
This is where God showed me something new. One more verse of scripture, this time from 2 Corinthians 2:7-8. It seems one of the folks in the church at Corinth had done something terrible. His actions hurt a lot of people. And Paul says to forgive. Why? Because "otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement."
Oh. My. Goodness.
This is SO much the way of Jesus! And it is SO unlike the way of the world. We forgive people because of what it does for THEM. We forgive because of the benefits it gives THEM.
And because Christianity is so amazing, when we forgive THEM, we too are set free. What an amazing byproduct of our obedience.
It's been a long a long time since I've written about this, but let me remind you that we are for one another. If Christ is for us, who can be against us, right? And according to the Apostle Paul, Christ is in me. And Christ is in you. So "Christ in you" is for me. And "Christ in me" is for you.
So OF COURSE this is why we forgive. Because we are FOR one another. And we don't want our brothers and sisters to be overcome by discouragement. We forgive people because we are for people.
So leader... forgive today. If you're not sure how you can do it, ask Jesus. He's in you. And He is the very best at forgiving. After all, he forgives you.