FORGIVENESS

"The weak can never forgive.  Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong" – Mahatma Ghandi

"You know you have forgiven someone when he or she has a harmless passage through your mind" – Rev. Karyl Huntley

Forgiveness ~ (n) to pardon; to give up resentment of; to cease to feel resentment against; (syn) exonerate, clear, excuse, pardon; (ant) impeach, accuse, blame, censure

Resentment ~ (adj) to feel angry about; (syn) displeasure, bitterness, indignation, rancor, outrage, hostility (ant) understanding, good will

We all, at one time, have and/or will struggle with anger, unforgiveness, and reasons to NOT humble ourselves and ask forgiveness…….no one is exempt from learning, sometimes a very painful experience, in forgiving.  Its how you handle this type of affliction which matters. 

If you are at war with others, you will not find peace within yourself.  We, as children of God, MUST forgive!  We do not have a choice! 

There are a lot of worldly definitions and quotes from famous people, but the most important is the Word of God.  And what the Father thinks……….

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Ephesians 4:32 – "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you".

Colossians 3:12-13 – "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of the mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye".

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The scripture says that in order to be forgiven, we must forgive.  "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged; condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned; forgive, and ye shall be forgiven" – Luke 6:37  ~  "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you" – Matthew 6:14

We must HUMBLE ourselves to those even we don't believe are deserving of forgiveness.  This form of unforgiveness is known as pride.  The first thing that happens to us when someone hurts us, is we want to retaliate and take it upon ourselves to bring justice.  We want to withhold forgiveness, and we are passing judgment onto that person(s).  However the scripture states "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" – Romans 12:19.

When we forgive, then we are a peacemaker……….Matthew 5:9 says, "Blessed are the peacemakers; for they will be called the children of God".  Some times, WE must humble ourselves and step out of our comfort zone, and become the peacemaker.  We must make the first step.  Saying hello in line at the store, waving with a smile while driving in the car, etc. 

There are many opportunities that present themselves.  Many opportunities that the Holy Spirit presents to you, to free yourself.  This could include even another person mentioning a name, and you picking up the phone to call……..That phone call, could be priceless.

In my experience…… unforgiveness will BLOCK everything God is doing for/with you.  Worldly studies even show that unforgiveness causes physical pain, even cancer.  Your face takes on a disgruntled look, and unforgiveness has been known to age you rapidly.  (see below)

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A new study from Duke University Medical Center demonstrates that those who forgive others experience lower levels of chronic pain and less associated psychological problems like anger and depression than those who have not forgiven.

"Chronic unforgiveness causes stress. Every time people think of their transgressor, their body responds. Decreasing your unforgiveness cuts down your health risk. Now, if you can forgive, that can actually strengthen your immune system". [Virginia Commonwealth University]

"When you hold onto the bitterness for years, it stops you from living your life fully. As it turns out, it wears out your immune system and hurts your heart" [Stanford University Center for Research in Disease Prevention]

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When we forgive, truly forgive, we must also let it go and stop bringing the "wrong deeds" up in conversation.  How would you like it if the Lord, who completely forgives you, brings up your sins in your conversations with Him?  Sins that were "forgiven"?  You would then question the words "I forgive you". 

What happens (and this is extreme), if the person you are angry with dies, suddenly…….where does that leave you?  So free yourself, IMMEDIATELY!  Don't allow the enemy (your flesh) to continue to control you.  Once you give him the inch, he becomes your ruler……….And as stated before, unforgiveness causes physical pain.  Do the research yourself …….I challenge you………

Now the question presents itself, how often must we forgive?  EVERY time………Luke 17:3-4 "Take heed to yourselves:  if thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.  And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him". 


Additionally, Matthew 18: 21-22 "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?  Till seven times?  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but Until seventy times seven."   We must forgive immediately!  Not allow it to harbor in ourselves. 

What makes a person undeserving of forgiveness?  Luke 12:10  "And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven".  This scripture does not say that when someone wrongs you in any way.  As a matter of fact, it doesn't have you in the equation as the receiver at all!

Let's turn the word around a bit.  "For" giving……….or giving "For"……..It is giving "for" someone else when they don't have the power to "give"……..giving forgiveness……..Are you a giver?  Can you initiate forgiveness?

Not what you think, not what I think, not what your dad thinks, or your mom, brother, sister, best friend.  It doesn't matter what they think.  The scripture says that if you forgive, you will be forgiven. 

Forgiveness is a heart issue……….and I will be bold to state to you that if you are harboring unforgiveness, then YOU are the one with the issue……..the heart issue…….where is your heart?  Don't you want to please your Father?  Won't you do ANYTHING to please your Father in Heaven?  The Father that sees your every fault, and loves you for you……Just the way you are……..

WE are supposed to love like that………..

We are made in His image……..HIS image does NOT include unforgiveness……..Who do you image yourself after? 

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Father…..we thank you and give you praise!  YOU are soooo amazing………so wonderful…….so gracious……..so loving……..and so forgiving……..we thank you Father, that as your sons and daughters, and not perfect, that we are formed more into your image.  We thank you that YOU change us……that YOU touch our hearts.  That YOU teach us about forgiveness.  That your Holy Spirit continues to quicken us and take away the pain that others have caused.  Father, we ask YOU to forgive those that have caused pain.  We thank you Father for the change in us, by you.....

Father that we die to flesh, and reach out, even when the reaching out doesn't seem worth it.  Father your word says that you work everything to the good.  Forgiveness is a good thing……..there is nothing to lose……..we pray Father that peoples eyes are opened, right now, in the Name of Jesus……….that your Holy Spirit brings revelation to our hearts.  That Father, we forgive others as you have forgiven us.  Father that our hearts become tender to those around us and we come into contact with.  That we have your compassion, and your love for others, as You have for them and for us.

We thank you Father……………Amen