Digging Wells: The Well of Forgiveness

We’ve been doing a series on digging wells of life in different aspects of our walk with Christ. A well dug deep will provide sustenance for years to come, something we can draw from during dry or difficult seasons, because when we carry wells of refreshing water within us, they will naturally bubble up in how we respond to situations, people, and challenges. Digging these wells, of praise in all circumstances, faith in the word, time in the secret place, expectation for the move of God, and other foundational truths will, over time, anchor us and make us steadfast.

Today we want to discuss the well of forgiveness. A topic that is often glossed over and sometimes rejected completely because of the immeasurable pain people carry from wounds inflicted by others. But this cannot be a shallow well we dig once to check a box, and then walk away from. Forgiveness is a well we must keep digging and drawing from every time an old offense resurfaces or a new offense knocks the wind out of us. Forgiveness is not optional in the kingdom of God.

Clayton Grenfell recently preached a four-part series on Forgiveness at Free Life Church. It’s an outstanding and powerful message that confronts us with the truth of forgiveness, what it looks like, and how to develop a lifestyle of forgiveness. He goes over what forgiveness isn’t—it’s not minimizing what has been done to you or excusing away someone else’s sin. All of us, in various degrees, have been accosted by evil that may have caused deeply entrenched wounds that are not fair nor acceptable, and could have had ripple effects in our lives. But imagine if there was a way to stop that ripple, heal those wounds, and live free from them. There is. Forgiveness. It’s one of the most radically freeing secret weapons we have, if only we truly understood its power and lived by it.

As Clay says in his message, we cannot hold onto unforgiveness and hold onto the cross at the same time. They are incompatible. The cross demands that we release the offense, that we surrender bitterness, that we make space for forgiving others as we simultaneously receive the forgiveness of God for all that we have done or failed to do.

Yet, so many of us cling to unforgiveness as if it were a lifeline. We want forgiveness to be a feeling, a sudden flood of peace that blissfully transports us to a place of freedom, and while we wait, we hold onto the wound, the injustice of it all, waiting for the offender to show groveling, weeping sorrow. But forgiveness doesn’t work like that. It’s not a feeling, and it’s not dependent on the other party being sorry at all. It’s an act of our will, often diametrically opposed to our natural desire. In and of ourselves, we want justice. We demand it. But the cross teaches a different message, and that message, if we allow it, will take root in us and transform us. If we wait until we feel like forgiving, we’ll not only stay in bondage, but a bitter root will grow in us, and defile many (Hebrews 12:15).

Some mic-dropping quotes from Clay’s sermon:


The kingdom of God advances on the tracks of forgiveness.


The devil traffics in offense. It’s his most effective tool to divide, derail, and destroy.


Offense is inevitable. Staying offended is optional.


When you don’t forgive, you partner with torment.

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Forgiveness is one of God’s most powerful tools to teach us the love of Christ. It’s a love that costs something; it cost Jesus His life. This love means forgiving those who don’t deserve it, even those who are not sorry, and as if that’s not enough, even those who won't stop behaving that way. You’re never more like Jesus than when you forgive someone who doesn’t deserve it. That’s what the cross shows us. It was the ultimate picture of unfair forgiveness. If this seems impossible, the astounding truth is that the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.


“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” — Romans 5:5 (NIV)


We can forgive like Christ forgave because He pours His love into us. It’s not easy, but it’s what Jesus calls us to.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean reconciliation is automatic. Sometimes it means, “I forgive you, but I cannot trust you.” And sometimes it’s drawing healthy boundaries. But it will always bring freedom to the one forgiving. Your breakthrough might be on the other side of the person you said you’d never forgive!
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.”
 (Romans 12:14-16) Because if offense to you causes offense in you, the enemy wins twice. Most of the time, those who hurt you don’t know what they’re doing or the true extent of the damage it’s caused you.
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

Drink deeply from the well of forgiveness. Keep digging, even when it’s hard. I urge you to listen to Clay’s sermons on forgiveness. They offer practical steps based on biblical truth, and I believe they are anointed to impart the revelation of forgiveness that will change your life — if you choose to receive it.

“Forgiveness sets the prisoner free—and you realize the prisoner was you.”
(Clayton Grenfell)

[Watch Clay’s Forgiveness Series here]