http://www.pillarandgroundoftruth.online/ FORGIVE?????
Should I???
or
Should I not???
How often have you struggled with the hurt and disappointments which life throws at you? As you feel the pain you cannot decide whether or not to forgive those who had hurt you.
Today I want you to understand that you must let go. If you hold on to the pain and allow bitterness to grow, you will find it harder each day to forgive those who had offended you.
It does not matter what someone has done to you. You must let go or else your emotions shall hold you as a prisoner for the rest of your life.
Unforgiveness is like cancer it eats and destroys you; it takes away your joy. It prevents you from enjoying the goodness of life. It causes you to become cynical and bitter. Not only that, but you may become withdrawn, unwilling to trust others or become selfish.
Unforgiveness is so destructive that you are not to accommodate it even for a short time.
Is there a time or a situation when you might choose to forgive and another when you might choose not to forgive?
What does the Bible say about the aptitude to forgive or not to forgive?
Matthew 18:21-35 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.
Therefore, is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him a hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
So, when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
So likewise, shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses.
How often have you sinned against someone and have desired the individual’s forgiveness? How did you react when you were forgiven? How did you react when you were not forgiven? At the time of the incident did you believe that you were deserving of forgiveness; do you still hold this belief?
The servant begged for the king’s forgiveness yet he was unwilling to forgive his friend. The friend owed him a lot less than what he had owed the king and he knew that his friend was in a worse position than himself, yet he refused to forgive the friend. Many of us are very unfair and hard-hearted.
We desire good for ourselves but withhold good from others. The king was very angry when he learnt about the servant’s wickedness. Therefore, the king withdrew his mercy and exacted judgement against the unforgiving servant.
Think about the effect of your behaviour before you commit an act. What goes around comes around. Jesus taught us to pray saying,
“ Forgive, us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12) Jesus further stated in Matthew 6:14-15, For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father, forgive your trespasses.
Isn’t it unfair that you would desire that someone forgives you but you are unwilling to forgive others. Or wouldn’t it hurt that you are exercising forgiveness to others while they are unforgiving towards you? Yes, you may be experiencing mixed emotions but you must do what is godly, right and just.
Jesus tells you that if someone sins against you seventy times seven which is four hundred and ninety times in one day or as pertaining to an issue you ought to forgive the individual. This is showing you that forgiveness is not exercised in measure. This is not an advice for you to leave yourself open to the evil intents of others. You ought to exercise wisdom and protect yourself from future assaults but you must be merciful.
Some persons will tell you that if you have forgiven someone you should forget about the incident. To totally forget is very difficult unless you are suffering from amnesia. You will not altogether forget because it is etched in your memory but you are not to harp on the incident.
Remember that it is impossible for anyone to be more forgiving than God. In the Scriptures we read how God outlined the sins which the people had committed. Even though they had asked for His forgiveness and He had forgiven them He still reminded them of their sins when necessary. In Numbers 14:22, He could tell them the exact number of times that they had sinned against Him. He said, “Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice”
While Jesus was hanging on the cross surrounded by His tormentors and persecutors, He exclaimed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34) This is the kind of love that believers in Christ must show.
Luke 6:32-36 tells us, For, if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father, also is merciful.
Have you accepted Christ as your Saviour and Friend? Are you looking forward to His coming? Do you want to live forever with the Lord? If you do, you must forgive others and also forgive yourself in sincerity. Ask the Lord to give you a heart like His. Being born again includes having a forgiving heart. God be with you.
Prayer
Almighty God please help me to forgive everyone regardless of how deeply I have been hurt.
I do not want to be an unjust person who needs forgiveness but is unwilling to forgive others. Please help me to also forgive myself of all my misdeeds. Thanks for Your amazing love. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Writer - A. E. FISHER
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