Forgiveness

Last week I shared my heart on judging others.   Often, if we have judged someone it is because they have offended us.  It may then become necessary to forgive them. 
Forgiveness is a BIG deal to God.  It can be so hard for us as humans to extend forgiveness. 
What if they aren’t sorry?  What if they don’t change?  What if you just plain don’t want to forgive someone?  Does God give us a pass?

Unfortunately no, God tells us in His Word that we must forgive if we are to be forgiven by Him.  When I am unwilling to forgive someone, I remain angry and resentful.  It is impossible to be kind to that person.  I want to exact punishment and revenge.  I want them to be hurt as much as I am hurting. 
                                                                                               
                                                                                                Ephesians 4:32

 In Colossians 3:13 NLT  “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.  Remember the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
A portion of the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:14-15 Amp reads  “For if you forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship with God], then your Father will not forgive your trespasses”

So it appears we have no choice if we want to have God forgive our sins. 
1 John 1:8-9 Amp “ If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude ourselves and the truth is not in us.  [His word does not live in our hearts.]  If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose}. “

There are many opportunities in our lives to practice forgiveness~ asking or giving.
 If you are married and/or have children the examples for me are too numerous to list!
If you have friends the chances are great that at some point they will do something to hurt your feelings-whether real or imagined.  Or…you may do something to offend them.  Be quick to bring it to the Lord in prayer and then go to that person. 

 Jesus says we don’t get to forgive one time and then we are done.  Luke 17:4 NLT says:
“Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”  Wow!  That is a hard directive.  It seems impossible to do what He is asking, but God can and will give us the ability to continue to forgive. 

Honestly, to forgive sometimes is a deliberate decision on my part.  It is not something I want to do.  But I DO want my Lord to forgive me so I am obedient.  I read these scriptures and take them seriously.  In the same manner I sometimes ask for forgiveness of another person even when I might not think I am wrong.  God shows me my arrogance and I obey.

If God says I must forgive, then I must be obedient so God is able to forgive me.

Forgiveness brings healing to our hearts and spirit.  Why would we want less than God’s plan for us?

Stay safe, Stay Well

️ ❤️  Sharon Charvet
Women's Ministry Leader
Foothills Foursquare Church
https://foothills4square.com
email: womens.foothills4sq@gmail.com
Monroe, Washington





Comments

Post a Comment

Thank you for letting us know you are reading our blog. We appreciate the feedback. Not all feedback gets posted. But all gets read.

Popular posts from this blog

Spiritual Discernment

Image
I have been thinking about discernment lately. The dictionary defines discernment as  “The act or process of exhibiting keen insight and good judgment” With the amount of information that has been given to us the past 2-3 months on the Corona Virus, discernment has been increasingly important.       “Is the virus real?”       “Who is at risk?  Am I at risk?”       “Should we stay home?”  “Is it OK to go grocery shopping?”       “Should we wear masks?”       “Is it all a conspiracy to control us?” All of these questions and concerns have come at us from TV and newspaper, social media and friends.  I have gone from feeling fear to having faith, from extreme concern to throwing caution to the wind, from anxiety to confidence.   All ‘feelings’.  After praying and reading the word, I am able to put those feelings aside and trust the Lord.  This is my guiding scripture:      “Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on you       own understanding.  In
Read more

No Fear

Image
As I was reading my Bible today, Psalm 18:1-2 popped out at me.  This is a Psalm of David  that he sang to the Lord after the Lord rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. He sang: “I love you, Lord; you are my strength. (2)The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.  He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.”  This is such a good word of reassurance and encouragement. Have you ever felt afraid and powerless?  Frightened of a situation or for a loved one?  I have.   I have not been fearful for my life by another person, but there have been accidents and illnesses that have caused me to be afraid. There have been times not knowing about the safety of a loved one that has caused anxiety and feelings of impending tragedy.  Sometimes it was warranted and sometimes it was my mind imagining the worst.  My mind can go from OK to the worst case scenario in a matter of seconds!   During those times I need to reme
Read more

Advent Week 4 - Love

Image
  Happy Christmas Eve Day,                                                   December 24, 2021 It is hard for me to believe it is Christmas again.   As I sit here looking at my Christmas tree in my new home I truly feel incredibly blessed.   It has been an amazing year for us. As I continue looking at Advent, the fourth week of Advent is the Angel Candle or candle of Love.   As Believers in Jesus, we know the Christmas Celebration is about Jesus and His love for us.   He left His Father to come to earth as a baby born in a humble stable.   We celebrate His birth and later His resurrection because our faith is based on this belief.   It is only because of His love for us that He was willing to live a human life.   Our love for Him acknowledges our acceptance and belief in Jesus as our Savior.   The middle white candle is traditionally lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.   It is the Christ Candle.   It is the Christ Candle because it is only in Christ that we find the Hope, P
Read more