I come to you in a two part series with full transparency & an action verb that carries a lot of weight — forgiveness.
I was one to hold grudges and keep receipts to remind you of your wrong! One thing you weren’t going to do is do me wrong and think I’d let it go so easily. I would unintentionally make it known that I was holding onto hurt; yet intentionally make it known the other person didn’t deserve forgiveness.
Who was I to say someone didn't deserve mercy and forgiveness?
Meanwhile I’m sinning, doing wrong by Christ and others, expecting that I be forgiven. I expected others to just “drop it” when it came to me trespassing. Literally.
Matthew 18: 21-35, Jesus Tells the Parable of the Unforgiven Debtor. In verses 21 and 22, being superabundant, Peter had come to Jesus asking, “How often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
“No, not seven times, Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven! Meaning we should not keep record of how many times we forgive someone, even ourselves. We should always be willing to forgive those who are repentant (expressing or feeling sincere regret and remorse; remorseful).
*quick side note: Rabbis instructed people to forgive those who offended them three times and three times only.
Pause. Can we take a moment to praise God for being such a forgiving God!
How is it that we’ve been forgiven & find it difficult to forgive? What is it that you need to release to God? When you release the hurt, pain, anger, and resentment — you allow God to work on YOUR heart. You’re able to make room for all He has for YOU. Forgiveness is not for the other person. It’s for YOU!
Understand that as Christians we are to be like Christ and forgive just as He has us. We’re to show grace and mercy to those who trespass against us. We are to love, and love keeps NO record of wrong. We’re to forgive no matter how many times they ask. Even if they don’t ask, act on it for your healing!
What I’m getting ready to release to you all is one of several things that held me hostage of freedom. This in particular held me for years. FOUR years of unforgiveness — and must I be real, the hardest person you’ll ever have to forgive is yourself.
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