The concept in this Scripture is very clear…forgive so that you may be forgiven. So why yet do we find so much pleasure in holding onto grudges? What starts out as a simple miscommunication or disagreement, morphs into something with a life all its own. Anger simmers, and shifts into resentment…frustration stews over how we’ve been wronged, and slowly changes into spite and hard feelings. Holding grudges only harm ourselves…they allow the root of bitterness to take hold and flourish within…and they prevent God from working fully in our lives.
Tag: forgiveness
Matthew 18: 21-22 ” Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘ Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘ I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’ “
Jesus was explaining to Simon Peter that the number of times we need to forgive one another is just arbitrary. It’s not about keeping a score card on that other person…for the act of forgiveness not about them at all. Forgiveness stems from the unlimitless capacity to forgive that Jesus first showed us while we were still sinners. So as Christians, we are compelled to show each other the same kind of forgiveness…for forgiveness comes out of love for the Lord and each other. The act of forgiveness is for our benefit, not others. For if we allow unforgiveness to fester inside, blame escalates, and with it, growing bitterness, which leads only to spiritual blight.
II John 6 ” And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.”
To walk in love means that the love of God has become so ingrained in you that it has become part of your personality. I come from a long line of stoic German farmers who are not huggers, so when I became a Nurse, I had to train myself to touch people…sometimes in very intimate ways, in potentially embarrassing procedures. And over the years, showing compassion and God’s love through touch just became part of me. We all need to determine to walk in love. To respect rather than disregard…to forgive rather than condemn…to show mercy rather than harshness…to be kind rather than cruel.
II Corinthians 2: 10-11 ” If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven – if there was anything to forgive – I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.”
In Paul’s letter to the Church in Corinth he’s stressing the need for forgiveness. One of Satan’s favorite tricks is to draw us into a attitude of unforgiveness towards others. He exploits our feelings of resentment and anger, and sadly our soul deteriorates as bitterness takes over.
Colossians 1:13 ” For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
We have been snatched from darkness into the light…from the power of Satan to the forgiveness of God. We have been pulled from captivity to the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through the redemption of His blood.
Jeremiah 29: 14 ” ‘I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all nations and places where I have banished you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.’ “
Sometimes we manage to banish ourselves from God’s presence by bad decisions we’ve made…sometimes the Lord disciplines us by starkly exposing our disobedience and lets us think about it in the desert for a while. Either way, God promises His forgiveness and reconciliation to all who seek Him.
Luke 6:37 ” Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
As this year ends – wipe the slate clean…set free those feelings of resentment against others you’ve been harboring. But the very most important person to forgive is yourself. Make the decision to no longer blame yourself for self-perceived short comings and outcomes that may or may not had been within your control. Forgive others and yourself, and don’t allow guilt and blame to follow you into the new year.
John 13:5 ” After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disicples feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.”
When we say “Yes” to Jesus, our bodies are totally bathed in His forgiveness and grace. We are justified once, for all and can stand blameless before God. But daily, we must wash our feet – for our feet walk in the world and on every evil thing that clings to it. Daily, we need to make a decision to live a life of holiness and righteousness unto the Lord. Thus every day we need to wash our feet…and the Lord will dry them off.
Ephesians 4:32 “…forgiving each other…”
Someone has hurt you very badly…the question is not whether you should forgive them, but rather when. The funny thing about forgiveness is, the act is essentially for our well-being, not the perpetrator’s. In fact, sometimes the offender doesn’t even know that they’ve been forgiven…or care. Forgiveness is something kind and healing we do for ourselves. The sad alternative is carrying around pent-up bitterness and anger that will only poison mind, body, and spirit. The quicker you can say the words, “I forgive”…even if it’s between clenched teeth…the sooner you can start healing.
Proverbs 10:12 ” Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.”
Hatred is one of the strongest words we humans have…the sheer intensity and emotion tied to it makes the word almost have a life of its own. This unbridled emotion of hatred will provoke all kinds of hostility, bitterness, and strife into ours and others lives. But Godly love shows forgiveness towards others, and a willingness to put away adversity for the good of all. As Jesus said, “Forgive as you have been forgiven.”
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