If You, O LORD, kept track of iniquities, then who, O Lord, could stand?
But with You there is forgiveness (s’licha), so that You may be feared. Psalm 130:3-4
Forgiveness is at the heart of freedom, personally and relationally. True forgiveness will restore relationships, heal the broken-hearted, and may even cure physical ailments. However, many of us find forgiveness difficult, even though we know we ought.
There are two aspects of forgiveness: Psychological forgiveness so a relationship may be maintained, and objective forgiveness, which removes the punishment or financial penalty. God offers both, with the penalty for sin paid by Jesus.
In Scripture, there are several words used for forgiveness. S’licha is only used of God, and according to Rabbi Seymour Hirsch, is psychological forgiveness.
sĕlîḥâ. It comes from the root sālaḥ. This verb, together with a few others, such as bāraʾ “to create,” is used in Scripture solely of God, never of human beings. sālaḥ is used of God’s offer of pardon and forgiveness to the sinner. Never does this word in any of its forms refer to people forgiving each other. (Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament.)
What is it about God’s forgiveness that is unique, and contrasted with human forgiveness? First, there is no hesitation; for God, forgiveness is a joyful act, not a begrudging one. As Jesus portrays the father in the story of the Prodigal, God is eagerly awaiting the return of the lost, filled with joy at the return. We often forgive only after we push past our emotional response, perhaps even because we know we should, and with some difficulty.
Second, God’s forgiveness is complete, not conditional. He tells us the sin is removed as far as the East is from the West. We may forgive, but the relationship is changed. We have a proverb for that: Once bitten, twice shy. Even after generations of disappointment with the Israelites, God is ready to forgive and move forward with a restored relationship.
Third, God’s forgiveness is not dependent on repentance—He forgives first. His forgiveness can even spur repentance. Contrary to His example, we would prefer that a person beg us for forgiveness and demonstrate their penitence before we will deign to forgive. Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, tells us how to forgive:
If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well, If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Matthew 5:39-41
Giving up the very human desire for retribution is the first step to forgiveness. Jesus humbled himself to become a man and died a shameful death on a cross in order to pay the penalty rightfully due to us. In this way, Jesus demonstrated God’s desire to make forgiveness available to all, before our sins were even committed. It is His love for us and the kindness of God which leads to repentance.
Can we meet this challenge to become more like our God by forgiving as Jesus taught? With His Spirit within us, we yield to the Forgiver within. Submit to God, offering the offense as a sacrifice to Him, trusting that His ways are higher than our ways, that He knows what is best for us and our world. His forgiveness flows through us, changing us and our world.