Forgiveness
- Jul 22, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 23, 2024
Forgiveness, a topic we like to shy away from, but necessary if we are true lovers of God. The Bible says:
“Then Peter came to Him and asked, “Lord, how many times will my brother sin against me and I forgive him and let it go? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered him, “I say to you, not up to seven times, but seventy times seven.”
Matthew 18:21-22 AMP
What does this mean? Theres no limit to forgiveness. In fact, the mindset Christ wants us to develop is one that doesn't hold anything to heart. Did it hurt? Yes! Were you betrayed? Yes! Your feelings are correct but as believers Christ even taught us to even turn the other cheek. I had to learn that its not about being correct or proving a point even when the other party is wrong. Spiritual truths may sound backwards to a carnal mind but we must see things from Christ perspective.
Jesus experienced betrayal from Judas one of the disciples who was supposedly close to him however he betrayed him and sold him out. Jesus is God almighty, of course he knew Judas would one day betray him yet he allowed him to follow him around. Jesus never fought back even to the point of death being beaten and mocked. He even defended the Roman soldiers actions before God saying;
“And Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing His clothes among themselves. [Ps 22:18]”
Luke 23:34 AMP
Sometimes when people do wrong to you, you have to convince yourself that they don't know what they are doing because they are being used as a vessel by satan.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.”
Ephesians 6:12 AMP
Your fight is not necessarily against that indiviual but with rulers, powers, and dark forces that are constantly attempting to destroy you. Most times they use the person close to you which can be painful. Have it in the back of your mind its not them is the devil, your enemy.
The big question some of you may be asking is why is forgiveness so important? It's because you have an enemy, satan the accuser of the brethen always looking for a reason to accuse you before God. When you live in unforgiveness, you open a door for the devil to gain a foothold in your life. Unforgiveness is not found in God so it should not be found in you. By holding onto unforgiveness it's a disservice to you, not the other person.
“For if you forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship with God], then your Father will not forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 6:14-15 AMP
Make up your mind today and let go of the person from your heart and live. Don't allow the devil to laugh at you and say "I have something against you", its a trap! This is not to say you must let that person back into your life but its for you to know you have nothing against them any longer.
Commendable work indeed; this is a meticulously conceived composition Sister Tola.
I must also add that forgiveness should invariably encompass the acknowledgment of one's own impropriety
Paradoxically, self-forgiveness necessitates an admission of one's own inherent fallibility. It requires a candid acknowledgment of our imperfections and the stark reality that we are incapable of achieving perfection through our own endeavours. It involves recognising the profound depths of our moral deficiencies. It entails repudiating the notion that our personal efforts can ever sufficiently atone for our transgressions. However, it also involves embracing and living within the abundant grace bestowed by God. By humbling ourselves and accepting this divine grace, we can relinquish our internal strife and self-reproach for our misdeeds. We come…