Forgiveness is a multifaceted topic.
- The Lord forgives us.
- We need to forgive others.
- We need to forgive ourselves
The Lord Forgives Us
God forgives us because of the price Jesus Christ paid for our sins when He died on the Cross. In order to receive that forgiveness, we need to repent of our sins and accept Jesus Christ to be Lord over our life. That is when we also become “born again” or when we become a new creation.
We Need to Forgive Others
One thing that I think all of us face during life is forgiving those that hurt us.
The most common statement about forgiving others is “it is so hard.” I pray, this sharing will make it easier to understand the difference between forgiveness and the healing process that needs to take place. I pray, that understanding helps the reader to follow through with forgiving those that hurt you. This is what will set you free from the bitterness, resentment, and unrest that unforgiveness produces.
Forgiving is a choice on my part and a command on God’s part.
It is not something that I “feel like” doing. If we have to wait to “feel like” forgiving, it will never happen. It is a command the Lord gave us. There are some very strong consequences the Lord attaches in His Word for not obeying it. Someone said, “A command MUST be executed not disputed.”
The reason we find it hard to forgive is because of the pain that we experience. That pain takes time to heal. It is that pain that we “feel.” It is that pain that sometimes makes us question if we forgave them. However, remember we do not go by “feelings.” “Feelings” are part of the soul or another name for it is “flesh.” “Feelings” can be deceiving. We MUST always go by the Spirit.
Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
This is an awesome promise: whatever we ask in prayer it is ours if we believe. There is much more that needs to be said about “whatever you ask.” However, I want to focus on a different question here. Why is verse 24 above followed by:
“25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”?
Could it be that one of the conditions to receive that promise is TO FORGIVE?
Paul tells the Colossians:
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:12-14 NIV)
And to the Ephesians:
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:30-32)
If we are born again the Holy Spirit lives inside us. He is our comforter, teacher, and counselor. So what happens if we grieve the Holy Spirit? I for one want to know more about how to fine-tune my spiritual hearing so I can hear His very gentle voice when He guides me. I want my relationship with the Holy Spirit to grow even closer and to do more to please Him. And from the above verses, it is clear – one thing that pleases the Holy Spirit is to forgive.
TO BE CONTINUED IN FORGIVENESS II