Forgive that your Heavenly Father will forgive you! Today was filled with two sermons that did not say to forgive, however it did talk about who are worst enemy is, us, you, and I! When issues go I dealt with we tend to blame ourselves. Whether it be people taking advantage of us, using or abusing us or we enable people who can do for themselves.
A few days ago I experienced this myself and though I helped the person I let them know that I wish them success and would not stand in their way to better themselves. All this person could do was bring up the past never acknowledging their faults. Sometimes you can be blinded by your own flaws and what people did to you that you can never see or take responsibility for your own faults and will even get angry with yourself. However, we must be self aware; know who we are by facing and embracing our strengths and weaknesses, the good bad and ugly about who we are and start the path to healing and the ability to forgive ourselves and others.
This journey is painful because you have to be brutally honest about who you are versus who and what other are and have done and will do you you. “For if you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”
Matt 6:14-15 TLV
I’ll be honest I would not be okay with God not forgiving me for my sins, transgressions, and iniquities. At the same time He did and expects us to do the same to others, whether we think they deserve forgiveness or not. He does not worry or concern himself with what the person did, but more so on our response to forgive as He forgave and forgives us.
According to the scripture in Mark, Jesus said, “For this reason I say to you, whatever you pray and ask, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your transgressions.” [footnote: Some mss. add: But if you don't forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your transgressions. ]”
Mark 11:24-26 TLV
I want Gods forgiveness, grace and mercy because not forgiving and holding on to the past and what others did to me does not slow me to grow, but deceive me to believe I somehow am bigger than God and can rain vengeance on my offenders. We forgive because we need it. Forgive so God hears you.
How and Why to Forgive:
1. Don’t repay people for what they’ve done to you. “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:18 ESV
2. We all have our own inquities that God is fully aware of even when we don’t tell Him. “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” Psalm 66:18 ESV
3. Kindness is essential and really takes courage and trust in God to help you. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
4. Confession to a trustworthy person is good and keeps us accountable. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
5. Jesus, himself, asked the Father to forgive us all, even the Roman soldiers, elected leaders, and those who cried “crucify him!!” . Jesus took on all the sins of the world. Even before we entered the world. “And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments.” Luke 23:34 ESV
6. Jesus blood is a covenant. He will not break His promises or stop being faithful to us. However, we have broken our promises to God and man and have been unfaithful, to ourselves and others. “for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:28 ESV
7. Forgive, because God gave His only Son for for the whole world whether we accept or reject Him. That’s is what forgiveness is the power of God at work in the lives of His children.
