Forgiveness is the Lord’s Speciality
“But instead be kind and affectionate toward one another. Has God graciously forgiven you? Then graciously forgive one another in the depths of Christ’s love.”
(Ephesians 4:32 TPT)
Many people ruin their health and their lives by drinking the poison of bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness. God’s word gives us a clear picture of walking in forgiveness. We are to be kind and affectionate towards others. We are to graciously forgive one another in the depths of Christ’s love.
The Word says that if we do not forgive people, we get turned over to the torturers. It is torture to have hateful thoughts toward another person rolling around inside your head.
“And in wrath his master turned him over to the torturers (the jailers), till he should pay all that he owed. So also My heavenly Father will deal with every one of you if you do not freely forgive your brother from your heart his offenses.” (Matthew 18.34-35 AMPC)
Everyone has an irrevocable past. What's done is done. We cannot change our past actions, but we can change our future through forgiveness.
All relationships require forgiveness, especially relationships with other Christians. It is not just unbelievers who can hurt us.
Our very own brothers and sisters in Christ can cause us deeper pain. Forgiveness is neither natural nor easy.
Rather, it is a learned response that is based on God's forgiveness toward us. “I can forgive because I have been forgiven!”
We forgive because it is an instruction from our Father, not because it feels right.
Obeying God is not based on how we feel. It is based on what His word says and what brings pleasure to His heart. It would greatly please your Father when He sees you walk in forgiveness and love.
Forgiveness is the Lord's specialty. It is His Character. It is the nature of who He is.
Why is Forgiveness so Important?
· So that we can be forgiven by our Heavenly Father (Matthew 6:14-15)
· Experience the Freedom in Him. (John 8:32)
· Trust needs to be restored in your life. (Ps.73:26)
One thing I have realized is that I am helping myself when I choose to forgive. “Forgive quickly and Love Deeply.” I am actually being good to myself. I am much happier and feel better physically when I am not filled with the poison of unforgiveness.
Why is it that we feel worthy enough to hold unforgiveness towards others? We have the greatest example of our Father in Heaven who sent His only begotten son to die on the cross for our unforgiveness and sin.
We justify unforgiveness by saying things like:
· “Why must I forgive, they will do it again”
· “They are the ones that are in the wrong”
· “I have a right to be hurt”
· “They had no right to do that to me”
We as believers hide behind these statements because we don’t want to face an uncomfortable truth about ourselves. We do not want to admit that we are hurt and that we struggle to forgive.
When you truly believe in your heart, that it is no longer you that live but it is Christ who lives in you, then you will give up all your rights. You will be dead to self, your feelings, your judgement toward others and their actions toward you.
You would choose to throw your hands up to heaven and cry out to God to help you to walk in love and forgiveness.
Unforgiveness is spiritual filthiness.
It is very important to take an inventory of your life in order to identify the people whom you have not forgiven yet. These are issues of life and death. Is someone’s wrong actions toward you worth spending eternity in hell for?
Here are a few nuggets to help you to get rid of offense:
1. Stop making excuses for your offenses.
When we make excuses, it becomes difficult for us to get out of the offenses.
Unforgiveness Never pleases God!
2. Protect your heart from offenses.
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
Proverbs 4:23 NLT
Make a quality decision that you are going to close the door of your heart on offense. Make this decision before hurt contaminates your heart.
3. Confess that you have been a carrier of unforgiveness
Unforgiveness is not only a burden, but it separates us from God. It is sin. Do not willfully choose to attach yourself to sin.
“But if you withhold forgiveness from others, your Father withholds forgiveness from you.” (Matthew 6:15 TPT)
Confession releases you from the burden that you have been carrying and allows God to begin the process of purification.
It brings you back into right standing with God, and you will automatically feel the burden of unforgiveness lift off you.
4. Forgive so that your prayers may be heard.
God cannot hear our prayers if there is unforgiveness in our hearts. Prayer is our life-line. It is how we communicate with God. In order to remain effective in prayer, we must keep that line clear and open.
Our God is an all-knowing God. He understood that human nature cannot forgive. He considered that and took care of that on the Cross of Calvary. He put His nature inside of you. He paid a high price for you when He shed His Blood for you. He hung on that Cross, mindful of you (Psalms 115:12).
While we as believers celebrate Calvary this month, why don’t you make the choice to live your life mindful of Jesus?
Choose to yield to His nature living inside of you.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.”
Psalms 51:10 NLT
Prayer:
Here I am Lord standing undone in Your presence. Thank you for paying such a high price for me on Calvary. Come and heal my heart of unforgiveness. Holy Spirit create in me a clean heart. Reveal to me anything that is displeasing to You O’Lord.
Show me any areas where I need to allow the precious Holy Spirit to purify me, and help me to honor You with the way I live, in Jesus Name.
Forgive quickly
Love deeply
Ps.Lil ❤