Forgiveness
Page 1
Welcome to Page 1 on the subject of - Forgiveness.
Forgiveness is an extremely important issue in the lives of all people. If you have come here, I am sure you know this to be true. Everyone needs forgiveness.
Forgiving
others leads to life, both abundant life here and now and eternal life, which will last forever with the LORD. Forgiveness of others is not an option if a person wants to receive Let's talk first about the flip-side of forgiveness, which of course is unforgiveness.
Have you ever known someone who is so emotionally dried up and bitter that they won't allow anyone "inside" their walls? The cause is usually a deep hurt that has been allowed to remain in the heart. This pain is caused by: unforgiveness. Unforgiveness
leads to death. If a person refuses to forgive they will eventually become a bitter person. Some people are afraid to enter into the realm of friendship or marriage as a result of an inability to forgive others.
The worst effect resulting from inability to give forgiveness is the inability to receive forgiveness.
The end point can be a terrifying and harsh existence.
How important is forgiveness?
Here
is what JESUS told the disciples after giving them what we like to call the LORD'S Prayer:
Matthew 6:14-15 "If you forgive those who sin against you, your HEAVENLY FATHER will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your FATHER will not forgive your sins."
This may seem a bit harsh. Of course, you are forgiven on
the basis of JESUS dying for your sins on the cross. And that is the exact point. JESUS died for you while you were in sin! And your sin was laid on HIS spotless and perfect shoulders at Calvary. HE forgave you so completely that it cost HIM, HIS life!
Now you must be willing to do the same for others. And here is why:
Forgiveness brings freedom. Not just for the person you are
not forgiving, but also for y-o-u! That's right. Not forgiving is like taking a chain and wrapping it around y-o-u-r-s-e-l-f and the person y-o-u are refusing to forgive, tying you both together. Nothing can break that chain but an act of y-o-u-r own will. Your will, not your emotions.
If you have been devastated by an act of hatred or evil against you, you may not want to hear this now. But, it is in your best life-long, even eternal, interest to pay close attention here. When you forgive someone who does not deserve it, you free them to
have a chance to receive the Gospel. No matter your personal opinion of the person you are having problems with, or not even trying to forgive, from GOD'S standpoint this is extremely important. HE has made the Ultimate Sacrifice to see that all people come to HIM. Think about it, you do not want to face HIM one day and try to explain why you would not follow HIS example and forgive those who have sinned against you.
"I've
tried and I can't" is the most common statement spoken by Believers who have been hurt or betrayed by someone very important and close to them. While forgiveness is an act of your will, you need help from the ONE who modeled forgiveness in your behalf.
To discuss the steps of forgiving someone, |
