You are not forgiving them just for the sake of forgiveness and it is the right thing to do. You are forgiving them because it allows you to let go of the bondage of sin, to the anger, bitterness, hurtful, pain and so much more. Forgiveness let’s the chains that are holding you captive break so you are free.
Some may say, “you have the right to feel the way you do.” Which is a true statement but holding is just letting it weigh you down and eating at you from within. Forgiveness does not excuse what was done or makes it seem that it was okay because it is not okay. You are simply laying to rest the burden of feelings and emotions tied to it by saying, “I forgive you.” Three most powerful words to say and not the easiest to say.
If Christ can forgive the inexcusable in us surely we can forgive others. We may never hear the words “I am sorry” and that is okay. We are not accountable for their choices but we can determine to let it go and not hold it against them.
Below is the song I’m Forgiven by the Gaither Vocal Band. “I’m forgiven, now I have a reason for livin’ “. Those lyrics remind me that when I forgive I have a reason to live and move on from what holds me back from living the way I am meant to live. I am meant to live with love for others no matter what. Forgive and love the person anyways.
Maybe the forgiveness you seek is from the Lord. Lyrics: “I can’t believe the God of earth and glory
Would take the time to care for one like me
But I’ve read the bible, I’ve read the old, old story
How He plead for my forgiveness while dying on a tree”
John 3: 16 King James Version For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Maybe it is a friend or family member you need to forgive or someone else. Lyrics: It’ll clear the bitterness away
It can even set a prisoner free
There is no end to what its power can do
So let it go and be amazed by what you see through eyes of grace
The prisoner that it really frees is you
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Show me how to love the unlovable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness
I want finally set it free
Show me how to see what your mercy sees
Help me now to give what You gave to me
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Forgiveness, forgiveness
Ephesians 2:4-5 King James Version But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).
I won’t say it is easy to forgive but to be set free they need your forgiveness. It will also release them as well and you can move forward. So them grace and mercy that was shown to you by Jesus.
We are commanded to forgive just as Christ has forgiven us.
Matthew 6:14 & 15 King James Version 14 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 may say how many times do I have to forgive someone when they keep doing the same thing over and over again. 70 times 7 as Jesus says in Matthew 18. We are to focus on good works not bickering with one another or holding a grudge against others.
Matthew 18:21-22 King James Version 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.
Below is another verse: it is not of our works but His.
Titus 3:5 King James Version Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
Commentary is from versebyverse: “Verse five shows how the seismic shift of salvation occurred. The basis of our salvation rests on God’s mercy in sending His Son to die for our sins.
5 not by works of righteousness which we have done,
The word “not” here heightens the emphasis that God does not save us by our efforts. “By” is out of. Salvation does not spring from works. Our righteousness is an utter void in reference to God.
Is 64: 6 But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.
God saves us not by our works of righteousness. He does not give people eternal life based on what they do. No behavior man can conjure up can save his soul. He is hopeless if he looks to himself.
but
The “but” here is strong contrast. There is strong contrast between how man thinks he can have eternal life and how God gives salvation. There is no doubt about how God saves. He saves souls by the grace principle and not by the works of men.
according to His mercy He saved us,
Salvation comes to us independent of human effort. The way God saves people is exclusively by His mercy. Salvation from His standpoint is mercy. He looks at those whom He can save through the eyes of mercy. God does not take into account who or what we are; He gives mercy regardless of how good or bad we may be.
through the washing of regeneration [rebirth]
“Regeneration” means re-birth. The Greek word has two parts: again and to become. At salvation we become something that we were not before. For a person to become a Christian, he needs a second birth. Spiritual birth, not works of righteousness, gives eternal life. God imparts divine life into our souls at salvation.
The “washing” here is internal cleansing of the soul by rebirth of the Holy Spirit. God washes us from sin by the blood of Christ. This cleansing produces new life in Christ.
and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
Regeneration has to do with salvation, but renewing has to do with sanctification. “Renewing” comes from two words: again and new. Renewing is gradual formation into the likeness of Christ.
The transforming power comes through the Holy Spirit. God transforms by grace. Renewal is radical internal change that begins at conversion.
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Both rebirth and renewal are the work of the Spirit. Rebirth means to come alive after spiritual death. Renewal means change that takes place after conversion.
PRINCIPLE:
The believer requires both salvation of his soul and a renewing to maturity as a believer.
APPLICATION:
There is no justification for God saving our souls other than His mercy toward the guilty. Acceptance of mercy requires humility on our part. Becoming a Christian this way strikes at the very heart of human pride. Salvation requires spiritual birth by God’s grace and mercy.
Paul emphasized doing good works earlier in this letter. Here, however, he distinguished between cause and effect. We cannot become a Christian by our works, but works are the result of salvation. We cannot confuse root and fruit. The root must come before the fruit—salvation comes before good works.”
Try and sit down with the person(s) who you need to forgive and reason together. If you cannot be face to face yet then write a letter or call them. Forgive them so it does not be something you can never forgive and you have cut the ties with them forever.
Isaiah 1:18-20 King James Version
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
You are able to set yourself free by forgiving others even yourself. Maybe it is you who needs to forgive yourself. Look within the Bible and remind yourself of who you are. You are a child of God. You are worth more than rubies. We are uniquely made for He crafted us and his workmanship.
Ask God to give you the strength to forgive others and yourself. Forgiveness brings healing unto you.
James 5:16 King James Version
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Hope this is helpful to you. I pray you will be able to forgive whomever it is even if it is yourself. May you find peace and healing in forgiveness. Showing them mercy and grace as it was shown and given unto you.
Isaiah 58:6-7 King James Version
6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
God bless you and your loved ones.
Kirsten's Christian Corner 