On The Importance Of Forgiveness

[Meg]

Forgiveness is one of the most difficult concepts with which the Christian is confronted. In out human minds forgiveness very often seems to diminish the significance of the harm done. Often when we try to begin the forgiveness process, the first words we reach for are "thats OK". What if its not OK? What if it never can be OK? That leaves us feeling utterly helpless in the face of a genuine disaster, and unable to find a way to forgive. When its that bad, we feel frightened, confused, trapped between the impossible and the immovable. Who could possibly help us find our way out of this wrenching dilemma???

Jesus Christ.

Forgiveness removes the power of sin from our hearts.

Sin, whether committed by you or against you causes a root of bitterness that is well enough described by Paul as a thorn. Probably most people haven't had something like a hay thorn or a raspberry thorn stuck in their finger long enough to know what that can do, so think of unforgiveness as a pulled muscle or a sprained ankle. A chronic pain and stiffness that makes it hard to move freely. That is what unforgiveness causes in our thoughts and emotions. Bitterness hinders our relationships with ourselves and each other, and it can hinder our prayers and interfere with our ability to sense the Holy Spirit in our hearts. Bitterness is a hard spot in our spirits that bothers us constantly, sometimes more painful than other times, but always there making us uncomfortable at a deep level...

God isn't asking us to forgive so He can prove He's got domineering power over our better judgement. He has no need to "prove" He's right. Rather, He is trying to bring us to a place where we can move freely within ourselves and among one another. God loves you, and He loves the person next to you with quite equal faithfulness. He's just as impressed with the smallest of us, who are struggling to master the basics of His ways as He is with the greatest of us who are leading the way. Remember that even the greatest of the Apostles started somewhere. No one was born knowing how to tie our own shoes let alone discover the great and profound truths about God. So someone hasn't mastered much Scripture --yet. That is no indicator of what they may accomplish, given time and encouragement...

God wants us all to be at peace. This makes sense because it is always the bitter, angry person who causes the group to split. How many of us have been devastated by a church split or a family divorce? Forgiveness is the preservative cure for these troubles, thats why it matters.

Finally, Jesus Christ will never ever ask us to do something difficult, and not help us as only He can. To ask something difficult and refuse to help is cruel, and the God of all Righteousness is never cruel.

[mattfivefour]

This is a very good post, Meg. It is especially effective because while it is theologically sound it was not born out of theological study but out of a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. That is always where the best teaching springs from.

[Meg]

This is a very good post, Meg. It is especially effective because while it is theologically sound it was not born out of theological study but out of a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. That is always where the best teaching springs from.

Thanks Prof That was born out of this morning's prayer. Sometimes the Lord shares His thoughts with me, and I share them with everyone else...

[Elijah's Mantle]

Forgiveness removes the power of sin from our hearts.

meg this is really good I think I might have a thorn
I am deeply studying on this one
the forgiven should forgive is my first notion
even when forgiveness seems unjust
then the Lord makes Mathew 22 come to mind
" love the Lord your God with all your heart "
and with all your soul and with all your mind
and your neighbor as yourself

If I love to receive forgiveness which I admit I do
then I must be also able to love to give what I do for myself to others
and so that you say makes sense

I believe Jesus just told me that I can't make forgiveness depend on the other person

maybe I do need to check as to whether I thought it did

and that is how come I could never feel forgiven or give that to that person because I thought that certain things had to happen first


well

[Elijah's Mantle]

God loves you, and He loves the person next to you with quite equal faithfulness.

Jesus is very right Meg
pardons are free therefore they have no continuing claims
and so yes I understand why I have a thorn
praying Jesus will guide me to all truth so to get it pulled out

actually trusting Jesus to pull it out sounds better

[mattfivefour]

Jesus is very right Meg
pardons are free therefore they have no continuing claims
and so yes I understand why I have a thorn
praying Jesus will guide me to all truth so to get it pulled out

actually trusting Jesus to pull it out sounds better

Praying you find that trust, bro. He will indeed pull that thorn.

[Meg]

Praying you find that trust, bro. He will indeed pull that thorn.

Amen and Amen

He pulled your thorn, Matt, didn't He...

[mattfivefour]

He did indeed, sis!

[Meg]

He did indeed, sis!

HALLELUJAH!!!!!

[Elijah's Mantle]

Praying you find that trust, bro. He will indeed pull that thorn.

that is awesome good news Mattfivefour

[Robert]

I once thought about what life would be like if there were no such thing as forgiveness...


If the world were able to exist without it, it would be a very dark, unhappy place. It would be far worse than it is now, and a lot more violent, brutal, angry and cold. But I also know this: that if forgiveness did not exist, this world would not exist. That would be because the God who made this world would not exist. God is love, and I think part of love is forgiveness. But he could not forgive us until our sin was paid for, which required him to send his Son to die in our place. And being love, while God would have been right in letting us suffer the consequences, his very nature would not let him do so.

JMO.

[Elijah's Mantle]

well said Robert Jesus does want us to understand
the greatest proof of Love is trust and I will trust in Jesus
relying on him to do what he so desires to do
trust is to have faith I got it
Jesus is the real meaning
cause he really said it
the greatest proof of Love s when we trust Jesus
relying on him alone not our own ability

[king'sbloomingrose]

Praying you find that trust, bro. He will indeed pull that thorn.

He just pulled mine last night! Hallelujah! I could finally forgive certain people and be at peace about it. \o/ God is so AWESOME!

[Meg]

He just pulled mine last night! Hallelujah! I could finally forgive certain people and be at peace about it. \o/ God is so AWESOME!