God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor 5:21
Think for a moment about a season in your life where the magnitude of your mistakes came back to bite you. How did it affect you personally? Perhaps you found yourself in complete remorse. Maybe you felt like your actions were wrong but somewhat justified. Whatever the case, chances are that the mistakes of your past became the identity by which people observed you.
It can be difficult to live life feeling like your failures are your own identity. Not only does this leave us helpless in showing our desire to change, but it prevents us from finding avenues to free ourselves from these mistakes. This is a common struggle for every person to endure because we all make mistakes. Further more, forgiveness is not always an easy decision for others to come to. While it’s easy to say we should move on, it is not always easy to go knowing others are holding a grudge against us.
In the same letter where Paul wrote our opening verse, he urges the church of Corinth to exercise grace to a former brother. The church had been instructed in a former writing to release someone from their fellowship due to sexual immorality. This was so that he could work out his issue without having a negative impact on the church itself.
By the time Paul wrote his second letter to the Corinthians, a lot of time had passed, giving the individual who was released enough time to wrestle with his problem. Paul then urged the church to let the sexually immoral person back into the fellowship stating
This punishment which was inflicted by many on such a man is sufficient. So on the contrary, you ought to forgive him and comfort him, lest perhaps he might be swallowed up with excessive sorrow. Therefore I ask you to confirm your love toward him. 2 Cor 2:6-8
In this verse we find that shame in itself is not bad. Rather, it is the end result of the shame we carry that determines whether it leads to our renewal or destruction. Do we find grace after bearing our sorrow for a time? Or do we continue to carry our regret as a result of finding no grace to free us?
Paul recognized the need for action to be taken when sexual immorality was being committed. More importantly however, he knew that the action taken against the sinful behavior was not to be done ungraciously. If the person guilty was ever going to find freedom from their mistake, grace was necessary. Otherwise, the continuation of regret would make him feel like he had no chance to change.
Later on in the letter, Paul summarized this point by stating that
Godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but the sorrow of the world produces death. 2 Cor 7:10
Perhaps you are one struggling to forgive an individual. Maybe you are one who has struggled to find forgiveness. It can be difficult to be on both sides of the spectrum. One feels betrayed while the other feels no opportunity to change. This is really a lesson for both parties.
For the one struggling to forgive, I would say that your grace is necessary for the one who did you harm. Harboring resentment does nothing to help them be the way they need to be. Furthermore, the grace they need is the same reason Jesus died for you. Do not forget what sacrifice was poured out on your behalf.
For the one struggling to find forgiveness, I would remind you that God’s grace is sufficient for your needs. Perhaps you have committed a wrong that others are unwilling to forgive you for. Recognize that your righteousness does not depend on their acceptance of you. Your righteousness depends on Christ alone. As you read that opening verse, ponder what it means for Christ to become sin for us. You might be worrying about your identity being encompassed by the mistakes of your past. Be encouraged to know that Christ has identified with you. Unlike the rest of the world, He does not condemn you. Instead, He offers you a new identity that is free from the old one.
By Andrew Inman