Memorise: So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye
from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their
trespasses. Matthew 18:35
Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling. It is also commandment from God
and a requirement to be fulfilled before anyone can enjoy the grace of
receiving His forgiveness in our lives. The root cause of bitterness and
un-forgiveness in our lives is often the root cause of a number of other issues
that we may be dealing with on a regular basis.
Forgiving whether we feel like it or not, or releasing even the greatest
offender into God’s hands will baffle, confound, and damage the whole realm of
Satan. Just as all of heaven rejoices when we accept Christ, so hell impotently
rages as we reclaim lost ground.
“For if
ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if ye forgive not ….. neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew
6:14-15
Let us assume that your problems are really big. You have been badly hurt
by your partner’s actions. No one denies the pain and anger you are going
through, especially if your partner has been unfaithful. But despite the
unfaithfulness or whatever it is that has caused you to think about divorce,
assuming that there has been true repentance, have you tried forgiveness?
Forgiveness is ultimately the only way we can handle broken relationships. It
is the only way we can lay past problems to rest. Forgiveness is not a surge of
emotions; it is a deliberate act of will. For Christians, the forgiveness we
exercise is based on the fact that we ourselves have been forgiven by God. I
know that many hurting partners will say, ‘I have forgiven again and again.’ if
that is so and your forgiveness has been abused and trampled on, it may well be
time for another action. But before you take the final step, put all your
problems into perspective. Is it worth throwing away the past years if it is
possible to salvage the relationship with an act of Christian forgiveness? I am
not suggesting it is easy, that the pain will mysteriously go away or that all
the problems will be sorted out overnight. There may be a great deal of work
that needs to be done.
Bitterness is a cyclical, repetitive, tightly closed circle of
self-cantered pain. It carries us round and around the same senseless arc. Like
a child learning to ride a bicycle, knowing how to ride but not how to stop, we
pedal on and on, afraid to quit, yet wishing desperately for someone to come
and take the bars, break our circling, and let us off. Bitterness is useless.
Repayment is impossible. Revenge is impotent. Resentment is impractical. Only
forgiveness can reconcile the differences and restore healing to a
relationship. Rejecting all the relationship that have failed us is the most
common counsel among Christians and non- Christians alike. Cut off the old
connections, withdraw from all interactions, live at a distance, and avoid any
intimacy or involvement. Above all, do not risk working toward towards
forgiveness. All these are contrary to the Word of God.
It is definitely not easy to forgive and it may be impossible to forget.
However, it is possible for us to forgive because we have the power of the Holy
Spirit within. Think for a moment, and honestly answer the big question, have
you considered forgiveness?
Prayer
Point: Father, please close the door against the spirit of un-forgiveness in my
life in Jesus’ name.
Bible in one year; 1st Chronicles 19:1-22:1, proverbs
28:26-29:9
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