Forgiveness

 

      How many times have you been hurt by a certain individual in your life? Once, twice, over 100? Are you able to forgive them? Or are you holding a grudge?

Forgiveness means:  to cease to feel resentment against: to forgive one's enemies.   willingness to forgive.

Grudge means: a feeling of ill will or resentment because of some real or fancied wrong.

     So many times someone may say or do something unintentionally in our lives, then you have those that keep on keeping on. So, what do you do? Do we have to forgive? The answer is YES.

     Peter wanted to know the answer to the same question, Matthew 18:21-22  "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."
     Wow that is alot huh? I sure thought so when I read that.

     How do you forgive? You have to give all your hurts and pains to the Lord. I know that is hard to give them and leave them there, 

     But, Jesus forgives us. If we expect to be forgiven, we must be able to forgive others. 
Matthew 6:14-15  "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

     You say, I'm human. I wont forget what they did, well, yes, you can! When you truly forgive in your heart, the memories can be gone as well. Just ask the Lord to take them away. 
     For we choose what we remember, selective memory. If you let that hurt and pain continue to stay in your heart, you have only forgiven in word, and not in your heart.
     If we are Christians, then we are to be Christ like. We have the mind of christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16  "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ."

     Also pray for them!! WAIT A MINUTE WHAT ARE YOU TELLING ME?  that now I have to pray for those that rose up against me?? I AM NOT, JESUS IS!
Matthew 5:44  "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"

     Be kind to them. What???? Do I have to keep taking and taking and taking?? NOPE!  but dont burn bridges behind you. It is ok to go on with your life, but dont speak bad about them!! When you see them out smile.

     Romans 12:18-21  "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

     Also when possible, let that person know that you forgave them for what they did, but you wont be used in that manner again. 

     Jesus had every reason not to forgive people. They mocked, beat, pulled his beard out, pierced his side, nailed him on a cross to die, He could have chose not to forgive, but he chose the path of forgiveness.

Luke 23:34  "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots."

     Will you find it in your heart to forgive that person that has done you wrong?