Forgiveness is something we all seek, but sometimes we have a hard time extending it. Forgiveness is the releasing of resentment, hurt, or vengeance, toward someone who has hurt you in some way. It is a conscious, deliberate, action that we must take. Our forgiveness does not depend on another’s actions, such as asking for forgiveness. Because we extend it, does not mean they deserve it, or that you approve of what they have done. Forgiveness is for our own benefit. It is an obedient action that is required if you want to be forgiven yourself.
Matthew 6:12-15 “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. 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.”
God makes it very clear in Matthew 6:12-15 that if we want forgiveness extended to us, we must extend it to others. He gave us this pattern when He extended forgiveness to us through the sacrifice of His Son. We do not deserve forgiveness. We sinned against our own creator, the one who gave us life and blessings beyond our comprehension, and He extends to us forgiveness. He demonstrated to us his gift of forgiveness by sending Jesus to die for us, making it possible for us to have a relationship with Him. Without the blood of Jesus covering our sins, we cannot come into the presence of God.
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrated his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
When we do not forgive, we burden our own souls and it robs us of the joy and peace that God intended for us to experience as His child. When we do not forgive, we cannot keep our minds on Christ as we should. Every time we seek sweet communion with Him, the Holy Spirit will remind us of any disobedient acts in our lives. When we pray, “Lord show me anything that is in my life that is not pleasing to you,” He will bring any sin in our lives to our minds. We must trust that His way is best, and follow it to live a life that is satisfying. We must be a forgiving people.
Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
God makes it clear we must forgive if we want to be forgiven. When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, His spirit comes to dwell within us. We are to live our lives emulating Him as much as we can. We are to daily be like Christ! Great forgiveness and mercy have been shown to us. Great blessings have been bestowed upon us. Great love is shown to us minute by minute.
Psalm 18:25-26 “With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless; with the purified you show yourself pure; and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous.”
How can we be so prideful that we put limits on our forgiveness when God has been so generous with us? In Matthew 18:21-22 Peter asks Jesus the question, “how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?” Jesus’ answer was 7 times 70, in other words, no limit. He wasn’t saying keep count, he was saying keep on forgiving. Note that Peter didn’t ask if he was supposed to forgive, that was understood. I’m sure it took a few minutes for Peter to understand the implications of Jesus’ words. Selfishness is so much a part of our lives that it controls us when we think we are doing good. We, like Peter, want to put limits on how much and how often we extend forgiveness, but that is not what God requires. Our forgiveness is to be continual. We are to forgive as many times as we are offended. That’s God’s way and I am so thankful for it.
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.”
Is it painful to forgive in this manner? Yes, but it is more painful to not forgive. Unforgiveness breeds bitterness. We become disobedient followers of Jesus when we determine we will do it our way and on our time.
I have found in my own life that when others hurt me, it’s usually not about me. I just happen to be an easy target. Learn to get past yourself and think of others. Don’t allow Satan to use the sting of words or others’ actions to keep you from maintaining a close relationship with God. Seek forgiveness and extend forgiveness.
