Forgiveness

It seems like today there are so many people who need to do this or need to experience this in their lives.  Forgiving others is so important for each of us.   Also, just as important, is to ask for forgiveness if we have offended anyone else. 

What does forgiveness do for someone?  Forgiving someone for an offence perpetrated against you releases the offender and also the one that was perpetrated against.  Why do I say this?  I say it because holding a grudge can lead to bitterness, anger and possibly revenge which may end up in dire consequences for both parties; plus, the loving, responsible thing to do, especially for a true believer, is to forgive.  I know it is not always easy to forgive because some people have been devastated by others and it is extremely difficult for them to forgive the offenses.  What may help is knowing the tremendous suffering your Lord experienced by the hand of his enemies, being assaulted and verbally abused, whipped, spat upon, beaten, forsaken by friends and publicly hung on a cross for doing nothing but loving people and doing everything He could to show it.  In the end before He died He said Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing.

I realize that we are not Jesus, but if we are truly born-again believers we have the same Holy Spirit in us that raised Jesus from the dead and with that kind of power working in our lives we can forgive and release our enemies also if they trespass against us even though it may be extremely difficult.  Jesus said if we won’t forgive others than we will not be forgiven!  I have a lot of scripture at this time for you to read I hope they will help.

Please read Matthew 6:9-15, “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. ‘For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.’”

I think that is pretty self-explanatory, now please read Matthew 18:21-35, “Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.’”

I want you to understand, this Tidbit is not intended to condemn anyone; it is a reminder, which I think we all need now and then, that forgiveness is a healthy thing and that we all need to be putting into practice.  Enough said I hope this was a help.  May the good Lord bless you and yours and may you all have a super, super day!!