LEARNING TO FORGIVE

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.  Ephesians 1:7-12   

It is important to note that God does not forgive my sins because of anything I have done or will do.  Sin kept me from a relationship with Him, yet because of His holiness, He provided a solution.   He commissioned His only Son to come to earth to die for me, so I can have a relationship with Him.  Through Jesus’ blood, God redeemed me by paying the price for my sin.   

Forgiveness comes at a cost.  If someone sins against me, I have to give up something in order for the relationship to be restored.  First, I must want to restore the relationship and do something about it.  Then, I can decide to take the first step in restoring the relationship.  That step is confession, swallowing my pride, and allowing the Holy Spirit to cleanse me.  This is an attitude of forgiveness and humility; one that allows me to go forth without any judgement of the person who has sinned against me.   

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS 

God gave His Son to satisfy His justice.  Should I do no less for my brothers and sisters who sin against me?  If I can do that, I can come closer to understanding the mystery of His will.  I will understand His purpose more clearly and feel His goodness, which the Holy Spirit breathes into me in the form of spiritual fruit.   

Do I really want to be someone who doesn’t forgive others?  No, I want to be like Christ.  To not forgive is to reject the teaching of Christ and to carry an unnecessary burden in my heart.   

To forgive means I need to confess that my heart has compassion for another person.  When I confess with humility, I feel the Lord’s forgiveness for me, and I extend that forgiveness to others.   

Lord, help me forgive those who are hard to forgive.  Help me to forgive those who are impossible to forgive.  Cleanse my heart, so I won’t be burdened with the sin of unforgiveness.  Thank You, Lord, for forgiving my sin!