Forgiveness is such an important part of our walk with Christ, that Jesus included it in His daily prayer for believers: "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors" (Matt. 6:12)
Whether someone has spread a rumor about you, wronged you, hurt your feelings, abused you, left you out, broke up with you, insulted you, cussed you out, or ignored you - God still calls you to forgive. King's daughter, if you are holding on to any unforgiving grudges in your life, take some time to read about the utmost importance of forgiveness!
WHO do I forgive? everyone.
"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Matthew 6:12
"Our debtors" is a vast category of anyone and everyone who has wronged you: family, friends, acquaintances, and everyone you encounter throughout your day.
WHAT happens if I don't forgive? God's justice.
"And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” Mark 11:25
"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matthew 6:14-15
I can't say it any more clearly than Scripture!
WHEN do I forgive? daily.
Jesus created a daily, necessary place for forgiveness in the Lord's prayer. He also warns us against letting a day go by with unresolved anger or bitterness in Ephesians 4:26, "do not let the sun go down on your wrath."
WHERE do I forgive?
1.) In your heart
Ask the Lord to erase the hurt and heal the wound in your heart completely.
2.) In your mind
"Love keeps no record of wrongs." 1 Corinthians 13:4
Ask the Lord to completely erase the memory, anger, or bitterness in your mind.
WHY do I forgive?
1.) Because God forgave you.
"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:32
You have been freely forgiven, now freely forgive.
2.) To keep bitterness out of your life.
"Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." Hebrews 12:15
Bitterness is a weapon from Satan and a distraction to keep you from walking in the fullness of God. Bitterness can reveal itself mentally, spiritually, and physically. Forgiveness gets rid of bitterness and allows you to walk in love.
HOW do I forgive? Only through Jesus Christ in you.
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34Jesus forgave the men who whipped His back, He forgave the women who spat on Him, He forgave YOU for your sins that sent Him to the cross. Now, you have the power to forgive because Christ and all His forgiveness abides in you!
HOW often do I forgive? 70x7
"Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven." Matthew 18:21-22
"Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." Hebrews 12:15
Bitterness is a weapon from Satan and a distraction to keep you from walking in the fullness of God. Bitterness can reveal itself mentally, spiritually, and physically. Forgiveness gets rid of bitterness and allows you to walk in love.
HOW do I forgive? Only through Jesus Christ in you.
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34Jesus forgave the men who whipped His back, He forgave the women who spat on Him, He forgave YOU for your sins that sent Him to the cross. Now, you have the power to forgive because Christ and all His forgiveness abides in you!
HOW often do I forgive? 70x7
"Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven." Matthew 18:21-22
There is no limit to how many times God forgives and has forgiven you. God calls us to forgive, forgive, and then forgive again....even if the person sins against you 490 times.
Take time and ask the Lord to reveal ANY people you have not forgiven yet in your life- even if the offense happened years ago. You will feel relieved, free, and obedient with God's will when you do!
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