For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1 ESV)
Freedom TO
Our political forefathers did not rebel simply to be free FROM the tyranny of George’s tyranny. If that we the case, they would never have formed a new political union. They would have gone home and felt free from all those things they listed in the Declaration of Independence.
Instead, they rebelled to be free TO form independent states, and eventually to be free TO attempt to make a more perfect union.
Forgiving others seems like a chore. An unpleasant chore that we are SUPPOSED to do, and therefore occasionally attempt. With resentment. With sullenness. Without joy.
Choosing to forgive not only frees our hearts from bitterness, not only frees our consciences from a burden, not only frees our minds from the chains of grudges… Choosing to forgive brings energy to live, brings connection with THE forgiver, Christ Jesus, brings peace.
It is not an unpleasant chore. We GET to forgive. It is not a frowny-action. We GET to forgive. It is not a thing of sorrow. We GET to forgive.
Because of Christ’s forgiveness, we are free TO forgive.