Sivan 7
Forgiveness
“and forgive us our offenses as we also
have forgiven those who have offended us.”
(Mat 6:12 HRB)
Forgiveness is such a
vital element in our relationship with our Creator for the simple reason that
if there is no forgiveness, there is no
relationship. This is one of the
underlying themes of the entire Torah:
there must be forgiveness, not
only between Elohim and ourselves, but also between us and our fellow man (see
Mat 6:14-15; 18:21-35). If our
horizontal affairs are in hot water, there will be no vertical
relationship. None, not happening.
The entire
sacrificial system found throughout the pages of Torah is based not only on
forgiveness, but also on the concept of restitution and reparation, something our
Messiah also taught (see verses from Matthew already listed). Many are the references throughout Torah that
specify restitution must be made when
an offense has been committed between a man and his neighbor (see Ex 21:33-36; Ex
22; Lev 6:2-7); simply asking for forgiveness is not enough. It is
unfortunate that so many of us have been taught through the “Westernized Church
System” that when we know we have done something wrong, all we need to do is
ask for forgiveness, and everything is then “hunkey-dorey”. Again, not happening.
Please notice the
words from our opening verse: “forgiven
those who have offended us.” Forgiveness
cannot be given until it is asked for, and according to Torah, this can only
take place after the restitution and
reparation have been made. It is only then that the wrong-doer’s offering is acceptable
to Elohim, and forgiveness from the Father is given.
Is staying in right
relationship with my Creator a priority for me?
Perhaps I am in need of an open and honest look inward, with the help of
the Ruach HaKodesh, examining all of those associations that are
at best strained, if not completely fallen by the wayside. Is there something that I myself am at fault
with concerning these other people? Is
there someone that I should go to and seek restoration, and even, if necessary,
make a form of restitution, or reparation?
Only as I stand, receiving the forgiveness from the one I have wronged,
can I receive the forgiveness that the Father has for me.
There is nothing
mentioned in the Amidah concerning the need for forgiveness from others, or
even offering forgiveness to those who have wronged us. Truthfully, this is not surprising, as the
entirety of Torah is filled with instructions on how to “love your neighbor as
yourself” (Lev 19:18). There is a
section asking for forgiveness from our Elohim; this could certainly be
tailored for individual use, bringing before the Father those transgressions we
know that we have done. Recognition of what we have done is always the first step toward
restoration, with our neighbor, and with our Creator.
“Forgive us, O our Father, for we
have sinned; pardon us, O our King, for we have transgressed; for you
pardon and forgive. Blessed are
you, O Lord, who is merciful and always ready to forgive.”[1]
©2018
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