Welcome to Forgiveness Myth 16: Forgiveness Removes the Consequences.
I Want Justice!
When someone hurts us the natural response is pain, feelings of betrayal, a desire for him or her to pay for what they’ve done. We want justice. We want them to be held accountable for what they have done to us. We want them to get their just due.
We can somehow think that if we forgive the one who hurt us then they’ll get out of the consequences they deserve. They’ll get off scot-free and we’ll be left with the consequences of their actions.
The truth is no one ever gets off scot-free. God will hold each person responsible for every action they do in their life. When you forgive you are not removing the consequences, you’re releasing them into the hands of the Lord and trusting He will ultimately bring justice to your situation.
Never Seek Revenge
We’re never to seek revenge. We’re to trust God to deal with the situation. The Bible says:
17 Never repay evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all people. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people. 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:17-19)
When you forgive you’re trusting God to make things right. You are turning away from your desire for revenge. You’re releasing any claims you have against the person who hurt you and leave them in God’s hands.
Sometimes what a person has done to you breaks the law. Forgiving them does not remove the consequences of what they have done. A drunk driver kills your daughter in a car crash. Someone rapes you, robs you, steals your car, embezzles from your company, or any other illegal activity should be legally held accountable for what they have done.
God Established Government to Bring Justice
God has established the government, including our court system, to protect us from evildoers and bring justice to the land. Listen to what the Bible says,
Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. ( Romans 13:1-2 )
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. (1 Peter 2:13-14)
Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor, Obtain justice for the orphan, Plead for the widow’s case. (Isaiah 1:17)
God is a God of justice. He desires that His right standards be established in the world. We may not always get the justice we desire from the earthly court system, but God will bring His supreme justice to every single person according to their deeds.
If you are robbed you can call the police and have them investigate the case, arrest the one who robbed you and see them go to court. You can expect the judge and jury to listen to the case and bring a guilty verdict if the evidence proves guilt. You can also forgive the person who robbed you and turn them over to the Lord for His ultimate justice.
Let Go and Let God
God placed in you the desire for justice. It lines us with who God is. He is holy and just. He also calls us to forgive those who trespass against us, even if they refuse to repent and ask for forgiveness.
Forgiveness is not an issue of justice, God will take care of that. It is an issue of the heart, your heart. Are you willing to let God avenge you? Will you trust He will bring justice to your cause? Will you release the one who wronged you into His hands?
Is there anyone you need to forgive? Now is the time. Today is the day.
