FORGIVENESS

FORGIVENESS

BIBLE PASSAGE(S):  Matthew 6^{13 – 15}, Isaiah 43^{25 – 26}, 1 John 1⁹, Acts 3¹⁹, Isaiah 1¹⁸, 2 Corinthians 5¹⁷,  Ephesians 1⁷, Hebrews 10¹⁷, Daniel 9⁹, Colossians 1^{13 -14},  Psalms 103¹², Numbers 14^{19 – 21}, Micah 7^{18 – 19},  Matthew 6^{9 – 15}, Mark 11²⁵, Matthew 26²⁸.

Matthew 6^{13 – 15}:  ¹³“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thou is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever Amen.                                                                                   ¹⁴ For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you.                                                                                ¹⁵ But if ye forgive men not  their trespasses, neither will your heavenly father forgive your trespasses. 

We are often betrayed and hurt by people we trust and love most.  This will bring about a bitter disappointment and experience. 

Some people use to say ‘I have forgiven him/her but I will never forget.’  Not forgetting will be holding a grudge and there will be no peace of mind.  If we are not careful, we will end up committing murder.  That was why David McArthur wrote: “Many people are afraid to forgive because they feel they must remember the wrong done or they will not learn from it.”    In the same vein, Sara Paddison said “Since forgiveness isn’t coloured with expectations that the other person apologize or change, don’t worry whether or not they finally understand you.  Love them and release them.  Life feeds back truth to people in its own way and time – just like it does for you and me.”John F. Kennedy said and I quote:  “Forgive your enemies but don’t forget their names.” 

If we refuse to forgive, there will be too much bitterness in us and this will consequently hinder us getting from getting to our next level. Israel Zangwill wrote and I quote  “The past: our cradle, not our prison, there is danger as well as appeal in it’s glamour.”

There was the story once told of what transpired between some senior Pastors in the mission that I belonged.   They were preparing to go for  Evangelism in Osun State of Nigeria (Ilesa area to be precise).  The tracts and all other materials to be used were ready,  permission had been sought and gotten from the founder.  After spending and being spent, one of the  Pastor was now informed about their trip and he vehemently tried to stop them from proceeding on the journey.  The case was then reported to the Founder who instructed them to go and seek the Pastor’s forgiveness.  It was like adding salt to an injury.  Later, an apology was rendered to the said Pastor.  It was in the course of this that he revealed that he was aware that he was a candidate of hell and he was looking for colleagues to take along with him.  Had it been that the apology was not rendered, there will be bitterness, anger and its likes and what would have happened could best be imagined. It was Catherine Ponder who said: “When you hold resentment towards another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel.  Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free,”

Unforgiving spirit is like big water, no Canoe, no Boat, no Ship, no Bridge and without a paddle to cross over to the other side.  It hinders and debars one from moving forward.  People must hurt and betray you and you must forgive them and forget their names very quickly if possible.  Refuse to give the devil any excuse to hinder your laughter.  Release people.  Painfully, let go and let God fight.  Then there will be peace of mind.

WHEN YOU FORGIVE PEOPLE, THE GREATEST BENEFICIARY IS YOU.  God bless you as you obey in Jesus Name.