Grace and ForgivenessExemplo

Leading By Forgiving

One of the most respected Christian leaders I know was paralyzed and bed-ridden, and all he could utter for the last years of his life were the words, "I’m sorry, I’m sorry." 

Human existence is fundamentally interpersonal. Human beings are not isolated, free-floating objects, but subjects existing in perpetual, multiple, shifting relationships with other people, the world, and, ultimately, God. Life is defined by these many interactions. When we gather and attempt to be a part of living the answer to the prayer of "your kingdom come on earth, as it is in heaven," we are living in God’s name and presence. 

If God is absolute relatedness, then any notion of salvation is simply the readiness, the capacity, and the willingness to stay in relationships–which almost always involves forgiveness! To be a part of anything significant means getting it absolutely wrong at times. Don’t believe me? Just ask your parents! The best leaders know this, and regularly ask for forgiveness. 

The best leaders extend grace knowing they desperately need grace. We cannot retreat from relationships and expect to know God. As we hear in the Gospel, those who considered themselves righteous but on the outer cried: "When did we see you Lord?" And they will hear the answer, my paraphrase: "When you removed yourself from relationships of love and care for the victims of our world, you removed yourself from me." 

Let us all pray for the wisdom to extend and request forgiveness.

Written by JON OWEN

Want more? Check out the Real Hope Conversations Podcast and listen to Kath Henry delve deeper into the topic of Grace & Forgiveness. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.