Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
Joshua 1:9
To forgive is to forget. To forget is to remember no more. That's undeserved favour, that's grace, to act like it never happened. It's to treat someone like they never did you the wrong that they did. It is undeserved favour. They don't deserve it, it's not fair, it's just favour. That's why favour isn't fair. It causes you to treat someone like a saint instead of like a sinner. To treat your enemy like a friend. To treat someone like they've never betrayed you, never hurt you, never deceived you. It just isn't fair! But it's grace, it's forgiveness! Do you want to be right or do you want to be free? You see, forgiveness also sets you free; free from the trap of unforgiveness, of hatred, of bitterness, of stress, of anger, of depression, of no peace of mind. When forgiveness is your choice, you are also choosing freedom, peace, joy, favour upon your life as you freely give to someone else who may not deserve it. When a good turn is done to someone who does not deserve it, the rewards are greater. Matthew 5:43-48 speaks about loving your enemies, blessing them and doing good to them and even praying for NOT against them. If you want to be more like Christ then you have to do like Him. On the cross, He never said, "Father kill them, the wretches!" Instead He said, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." How could He receive our sin and guilt upon Himself anyway with unforgiveness in His heart? How could He do what He came to do - save the world - with unforgiveness in His heart? He had to provide salvation through forgiveness in order to bring forgiveness to us. In other words, He had to go through the ultimate act of betrayal and sacrifice and to forgive those who helped bring Him to that point, in order to provide salvation for us through the forgiveness of sins. HE HAD TO FORGIVE so we could be forgiven. He had to act as if it never happened so we could receive new life in Him, eternal life with Him. And, since He set the example we just need to ask for His help to forgive, to release those who have wronged us, to set ourselves free from bondage, from being a slave to unforgiveness. When we refuse to let go, we're really refusing to let ourselves go, we're refusing to free our own selves. Do you want to be truly free? Then forgive. Act like it never happened. You can't do this on your own but you can do it through Christ who gives you the strength you need to get it done. I'm not speaking off the top of my head, I'm speaking from experience. I can write this because I have had to and still have to do this on a regular basis. No, it's not easy at all, in fact it's downright difficult at times. But the more I choose to forgive, the easier it becomes. Let me say that when I really chose to forgive I actually felt a burden lifted off of me. I'm not kidding!!! I was finally free from this burden and it felt so good. There are days when I have to consciously forgive more times than I can count and other days not so much. I even find myself more and more seeing my enemies through God's eyes. I understand and acknowledge that He loves them too and He does want the best for them just like He wants the best for me. It makes my God happier when I can love my enemies instead of hate them and it makes me feel lighter, happier, FREE!!!! And, by the way, don't worry about whether or not your enemies will get away with what they have done to you, that's God's business NOT yours!!!! (Romans 12:19) So, make the choice to forgive. Make that first step and let God carry you the rest of the way to victory. You will regret it if you don't, you won't regret it if you do!
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October 2024
AuthorThis blog provides inspirational nuggets inspired by the Word of God and serves to encourage and motivate Christians in their Christian walk. |