I would like to bring up a very important topic today: Forgiveness! Have we forgiven as Christ taught us? Have we been meek of heart? Or do I fear we are easily stressed, compassionate and resentful?
The question of forgiveness is a very delicate one. A theme that must be rooted in our minds, so that the Body of Christ may be built and communion may grow.
Why should I forgive or ask for forgiveness?
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Matthew 18:21-22
I believe that the biggest reason why we should forgive our brothers and accept a request for forgiveness is for simple fact that we are sinners and did not deserve God’s forgiveness, yet He gave His Son to forgive our sins, so if we are Christians (the meaning of the word Christians in Greek is “Little Christs”), we must follow the ways of Christ
There is something very interesting about forgiveness in Jewish culture: in Judaism, it was considered honorable to forgive three times. However, in this line of Jesus, in Matthew 18:22, we realize that Christ came to raise the ruler, that is, the disciples, as part of the new covenant community, should exceed this standard of Judaism.
If Christ forgives me, even though I am flawed, sinful, dirty and not deserving of His grace and forgiveness, who am I to think I don’t need or not being willing to forgive someone or ask for forgiveness?
Where is your heart?
“Above all else, guard your heart,
Proverbs 4:23
for everything you do flows from it.”
The Bible makes us very clear about the importance of having a pure heart. If our hearts are in the right place, we will have the right attitudes and if we are following a crooked path, our decisions will lead us to death.
But what does this have to do with forgiveness? Simply everything. If we have our hearts in the right place and follow in Christ’s footsteps, we will not hesitate to ask forgiveness from those we hurt or accept forgiveness. To ask for forgiveness and to forgive is to acknowledge that you were wrong, it is to put the ego aside, in favor of something greater. This greater thing is the decision to act as Christ would act and act.
Therefore, in order for us to have the mentality necessary to ask for forgiveness and to forgive, it is extremely necessary that we know where our heart is.
Forgiveness heals the soul!
We know how difficult it is to ask for forgiveness or accept, but the reward for that is unparalleled. From the moment we decide to forgive, not only is our soul healed and a gigantic weight comes off our backs, as the other person who has hurt us or whom we have hurt, is also healed and his life is transformed.
The love that Christ showed for us is the same that we must show for our brothers, friends and family. We cannot leave this love to ourselves alone, but we must spread that love, so that more people can know the love of Christ and thus be transformed in the same way that we were transformed when we first met Him.
Therefore, do not keep the love that the Lord has placed in you for yourself. As it is written in Colossians 3:13, Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
It’s not easy!
I want to make it very clear that forgiving or asking for forgiveness is not easy. It is not easy, because for that, we need to let go of our pride and let our guard down.
However, we need to be reconciled with our brothers and do what is right, do what Christ taught us to do.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
Grace and Peace.
If I forgive someone and I just cant stop thinking about it( how they hurt me) What can I do
Amem… thank you Jesus for your forgiveness… and put in my heart3you forgiveness in Jesus name
My wife is angry at me it’s my fault for going down the wrong path. Leading her that way knowing better. We are apart tonite I just pray that jesus inside us and overseer of our marriage would give us the heart only he has to come together in his name again. Amen
Hey Josh! I read this post and I felt that God put it on my heart to reach out to you.
The Lord says ask and you shall recieve, knock and the door will be open. The Lord is faithful, and what he has put together no man can take apart =) though the both of you may be facing heart ache and trials, know that God sees and God is willing, always. When you come in prayer with an honest heart, surely He will help.
Ive seen it in my own life, where my mistakes and my flaws had caused destruction in my relationships, and on my confidence in being able to do the right thing.. But do not worry, the more you reach out to God he will reveal more truths to you and mend what has been broken. We have to realize that we need his intervention, and we need to rely on ourselves less.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Ive been meditating on this word recently. God is so kind.
I hope you see this and you and your wife are encouraged! Be blessed brother.
Your sister in Christ
Katherine
I pray for you Josh. GOD can put us into some situations to make us stronger. Stand firm, pray with belief that you have what you ask of him
What if you are willing to forgive and set your pride or ego aside regardless of been blame for somet3 you know you didn’t do or said.. What if you only accepted fault to make peace with that other love one..?? Is this wrong?
Hello, beloved sister!
I don’t believe it is wrong, but you can not let that situation make you feel bad. God is just, so we shall be.
God bless you 🙂
It is never wrong to sacrifice forgiveness to someone you love even when you know you didnt do it. It shows love for one another.
What about This
I have forgiven but am not acting the way I use to
Is that ok
Hey there, Temi!
There is absolutely no problem for to not keep a relationship, but you must have 100% clear in your mind if you have forgiven that person or not. You shouldn’t fool yourself!
God bless you 🙂
Amen.
So relevant too today. I pray that people will ask for forgiveness.
Amen! Forgiveness is key 🔑❤️ Priase the Lord
Its a way forward message in these days.
God bless
Forgive your brothers and sisters,of course.But Forgiveness to wicked people ,people who hate JESUS and whose evil treatment of myself and others will not be forgiven.
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My beloved brother. It is our enemies who do evil against us, that we must needs to forgive. The command to forgive is not conditioned or limited to our community of,brothers and sisters but for all those who in humility and sincerity ask you to forgive them. God bless YOU.
Forgiveness is something that we actually need to live, ’cause who would we be if God simply just stopped being our father because of our many flaws? Just as he forgives us, we must learn how to forgive people and show ’em this love we have to give, and more then just for the sake of it, but to make him/her feel loved and feel like him/her could do the same for other people. Amen
Amen
Amen, we must be examples of the love that transcends all understanding.
its easier in fact to forgive.the more scarier is when forgiving someone who is unrepentent and can repeat the error again on you .is it fine to forgive and stay away.forgiveness does not mean re connecting isnt it .
Absolutely. You forgive someone and you can walk away in peace. The Bible says ‘seek peace and pursue it’. If that means you seek forgiveness, or you forgive you’ll find that peace so you can get on with your life with a clean heart.
I agree with Marj. Yes… you can forgive someone who has wronged you, dangerously hurt you. God will judge them. You need not be involved with them. But when you forgive and let it away from you, cleanse the wound, it will heal properly. Lean on the Lord. Not easy in any case but I can say no freedom is greater. We must also forgive ourselves in this process, to move on. May Peace be with you!
Thank you Lord Jesus Christ, for giving me the heart to forgive and be forgiven. Amen
Wow, thank you, today I’ve learned forgiveness in a different dimension
Thanks you for the message of forgiveness ❤️
Forgiveness is not seven time or three is seventy time seven times
Ii it right to always take the blame(forgive) just to equate a situation for peace to reign when you are involved with people who argue without breathing eventhough they know for a fact they are at fault and guilty ?
Thank you Lord to show and teach us about love
Forgivenese relaxes our soul
God bless this morning ministry of Christ 🙏
Forgive the negative actions that we feel unfairly came to us, but also the hurts that it brings. Pray that the Holy Spirit will walk us through such times.
Thank you for reminding me how to forgive just as how Christ forgave our dirty filthy ugly sin. Thank you Lord for your Word, that heals my soul.