One day, when I was in college, a shifty-looking character approached me in the student union with a leather jacket he wanted me to see. It was a beauty: buttery smooth cowhide, with artfully stitched seams and long leather fringes. Buffalo Bill Cody would have worn it proudly. I can't remember what the price was, but it was obviously too little for such a jacket. Even as I forked over the money, I knew something wasn't right, sure enough, a couple days later the jacket's real owner, a student about my age, approached me as I was on my way to class. "That's my jacket," he said, "and I want it back." "No way," I answered. "I paid for it, and I have no idea if it's yours. It's mine." He didn't challenge me, and I left, but the uneasiness I had about my new possession now had visible face. A few days later, riding my bike across campus, I saw the real owner standing on the sidewalk. I rode over, took the jacket off handed it to him, said I was sorry, and rode off without another word. More than the weight of the jacket had been lifted from my shoulders. We're all human, which means that sometimes we do things we shouldn't do or say things we shouldn't say. Sometimes we realize too late that our actions have been hurtful to somebody else. When these hard times occur, the best response--the only response, really is, "I'm sorry." Owning up, promptly and forthrightly, helps the other person begin to heal. But just as important, it cleanses our own soul and sets us free. That is a small price to pay for a clear conscience. source: 50 things that really matter hallmark book
In this story you see the woman who bought a jacket off a peddler. When she was confronted by the owner of the jacket, her selfishness and greed she pushed off the fact of how she bought the jacket and if this could be the owner. Although, her conscious kept telling her that something wasn't right with that purchase. Given the chance to see the person again she apologizes and gives the owner the jacket. She left feeling freed from the guilt that was holding her prisoner inside, even if the other person never forgave her. She asked for forgiveness for the crime she had done, even though this was a two party crime. What about when someone has done you wrong, when you are the victim, Joseph is a prime example.
Joseph Reassures His Brothers
Genesis 50:15
15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. 18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. 19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
Matthew 6:14-15New International Version (NIV)
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
