Forgiveness is Freedom
Satan will use any device to poison our minds with anger, resentment, or a host of other schemes to destroy our peace, steal our joy, and prevent us from forgiving those who have wronged us due to their inability to cherish our love, value our friendship, honor us as parents or understand our concern for them.
Our concerns are burdens that weigh heavily on our minds and grieve our souls. We are perplexed by the amount of disrespect from those who have a disregard for family and friendship. It is difficult to digest their words and endure the pain of our offender.
Arguments can fuel a fire and burn any hope for reconciliation with a family member or a friend if we refuse to forgive and rescue our relationship from the flames.
It is stated that; forgiveness is for the one who forgives, not the one who is being forgiven.
God specializes in restoration, the replacement of giving back that which was lost due to a severed relationship. We must be willing to free ourselves from Satan’s devices and begin to forgive those who have wronged us.
Matthew 18:21-22 reads: Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Peter asked a question about forgiveness and Jesus gave a number that superseded his willingness to forgive by advising him to forgive continually.
Forgiveness is essential for our spiritual growth. Forgiveness is an absolute requirement of God. Forgiveness will give back our peace of mind.
Matthew 6:14-15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also, forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Many of us are accused of sin we did not comment. Our hearts are torn apart by those who lie, cheat, or steal every time we help them. We have been abused by individuals who violated our trust and tried to destroy our reputation.
I am reminded of the suffering that our Savior endured on the night he was betrayed. He was abandoned by his friends and denied by his senior disciple. He was falsely accused of blasphemy. He was beaten, flogged, and spat upon.
Jesus experienced more pain than humanly possible. Yet, after he was nailed to the cross, his love for humanity, and his obedience to the Father gave him the strength to say, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
Jesus prayed for everyone who took part in his execution. His response to their deception was to have mercy for them. Mercy is compassion toward an offender.
It should be our choice to forgive people for the wrongs they do because we understand sin’s control over their lives.
When we forgive people, we take back everything Satan tried to steal through his act of deception. We gain control over our emotions and no longer allow Satan to arouse us with his scheme to destroy our peace, steal our joy, or tear apart our family or friendship.
Forgiveness does not mean we have to involve ourselves with those who hurt us. It simply means we no longer hold a grudge or have ill feelings against them.
It is our Christian duty to forgive the wrongs of our offenders and live at peace with humanity.