God is serious about forgiveness. So serious that He sacrificed His own beloved Son that we might be forgiven of our rebellion against the Almighty, Sovereign God of the universe. Those of us who have repented of our sin, believe that Jesus is the Son of God and have invited Him to be our Savior, receive forgiveness of our sins. We are like the servant in Matthew 18 who owed his master millions of dollars with no way to repay that debt. The master in his great mercy forgave that debt. There is no way we could ever be good enough to deserve the mercy given to us.
 | Forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you." |
But sometimes we are also like the servant whose fellow servant owed him a small amount, but would not forgive that debt and had him thrown into prison. The master then revoked his mercy to the unforgiving servant.
God’s command to us is to “forgive one another as God in Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32).
It’s important to understand that for us, forgiveness is as much for the forgiver as the forgiven. Lack of forgiveness creates a bitterness that eats at your soul. It creates a blockage between you and God, which often spills over to other relationships.
Forgiveness is relinquishing your desire to punish. Humanly we want to hurt the person who has hurt us or a loved one. When we forgive, we surrender that to God to take care of as He chooses.
Forgiveness is not condoning what happened. It does not mean what happened is okay. Forgiveness is not just saying the words, “I forgive you.” True forgiveness must be sincere. Forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation. Forgiveness is primarily accomplished between you and God. Reconciliation involves a restoration of trust between two people.
Forgiveness may take time. It involves: 1) admitting the hurt and anger we have and finding constructive ways to release that anger; 2) seeking God’s perspective on the situation and person; 3) choosing to surrender the hurt and anger to God; and 4) choosing to forgive as Christ has forgiven you.
Forgiveness is not a feeling but an act of the will in obedience to God.
Choosing to receive and give forgiveness...
God’s command to us is to “forgive one another as God in Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32).
It’s important to understand that for us, forgiveness is as much for the forgiver as the forgiven. Lack of forgiveness creates a bitterness that eats at your soul. It creates a blockage between you and God, which often spills over to other relationships.
Forgiveness is relinquishing your desire to punish. Humanly we want to hurt the person who has hurt us or a loved one. When we forgive, we surrender that to God to take care of as He chooses.
Forgiveness is not condoning what happened. It does not mean what happened is okay. Forgiveness is not just saying the words, “I forgive you.” True forgiveness must be sincere. Forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation. Forgiveness is primarily accomplished between you and God. Reconciliation involves a restoration of trust between two people.
Forgiveness may take time. It involves: 1) admitting the hurt and anger we have and finding constructive ways to release that anger; 2) seeking God’s perspective on the situation and person; 3) choosing to surrender the hurt and anger to God; and 4) choosing to forgive as Christ has forgiven you.
Forgiveness is not a feeling but an act of the will in obedience to God.
Choosing to receive and give forgiveness...
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