Gift of Forgiveness
The gift of forgiveness was given to us by Jesus on the cross. This precious gift has not been fully understood by most people. To better understand what it is, and what it can be. Maybe we should look first at what it is not.
Forgiveness is not being a doormat. Don't let anyone just walk all over you, that is not the will of God for you. It does not mean you have to give up your boundaries of right and wrong. You don't have to say something is okay if it is not right. It's not telling a wife to go back to a husband that beats her. Boundaries still need to be established.
Your releasing forgiveness does not give the abuser absolute pardon, it's not writing off the consequences of others. There are consequences to every action. It does not mean that you have to trust someone who is untrustworthy. Trust has to be earned.
It is not our job, we cannot remove the consequences. But Neither is it our job to enforce consequences. We can understand this better if we look at it from a legal standpoint. God has given us a government system to enforce laws. We have the police who arrest those who are suspect of breaking the law and judges to uphold the law.
If someone steals something from you personally you can make the choice to forgive them from your heart but the justice system may not be so kind. They still may face some jail time. But all of those decisions are out of our hands.
Vengeance
Vengeance is mine says the Lord. We don't need to be concerned about that. Every person is responsible for their own sin before God. He will deal with each person – God sees all. To pardon or punish is God's business. God will deal with that person or situation as a separate case from yours.
Releasing it into God's hands is ceasing to sit in the judgment seat against those that have sinned against you, instead release them to the judgment seat of Christ.
But if you hold vengeance in your heart against someone, that is sin to you, which greatly concerns God. Most people have no idea how import it is for them to for give. Bible verses give us a picture of how a God of justice sees it.
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
Matt 18:23-19:1
23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
28 "But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!' 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him,
'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
35 "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."
Forgiveness is cancellation of a debt. When we don't, we hold on to them and that debt they owe us with our willpower.
Ever wonder why victims suffer torture even after the abuses is over? It doesn't seem fair that those who have been sinned against must continue to suffer sometimes for years after an abusive event. But this explains why that can happen...
In this parable God is letting us know that if you don't forgive others the evil one will have a legal doorway into your life. He will be able to continue to torture you with it as long as you don't forgive.
Can you now understand how very important this is for you?
Forgiveness can be your doorway to freedom!
It's for your benefit, it's a Gift to you!
God is concerned about your welfare. He wants you healed! He wants you healed with no scars. Can you trust Him to do this for you? God's will for you is for you to have an abundant life in a close relationship with Him.
The relationship between you and God is of utmost importance to God. He wants nothing to come between you and Him. God gives us this instruction to prevent us being separated from Him or the blessings He has for us.
Have come to the place where you are willing to follow He instruction to forgive?
But it's not just mental assent. There's more to it and it's much easier than you may think. Do you want to know how? Then let's continue… Read more
Forgiveness only God can do in you
Depression a Spiritual Perspective
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