Matthew 6:15 says, "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Scary stuff, especially considering we all have to face death someday. Since this is the case, I felt the need to address the 'how to' when it comes to applying forgiveness.
Honestly, I chuckle how difficult pastors make the concept of forgiveness out to be; it's obviously because they fail to understand its simple concept! (Perhaps it's because they are Calvinists {using the Bible for the exalting of self - and desiring the damnation of those who oppose them} or Apostates {anti-Christs who have abandoned the Truth and have given themselves over to false self-serving doctrines})
For the rest of us, forgiveness, simply put, is where you recognize that the person who wounded you is lost; then, you respond with the love that God has for them. This takes the acknowledgment off of what they did to you and places the acknowledgment on the fact that they are not saved - and face an eternity separate from Jesus. Jesus took our pain on the Cross (Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed), so when we respond by allowing the love of God to flow through us, we show ourselves to be genuine children of God (not those who try to steal their way in - Luke 13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.)
In 1 John 4, this passage is clear when it comes to love and forgiveness. If you notice, this is the only chapter in the Bible committed to it's own solitary topic; that's because of it's importance, relevance and eternal warning...
When we are able to forgive, it comes from the assurance that we are loved by God and we prove that we belong to him (1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.)
1 Peter 2:19 says, For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
What this means is "it is honorable to bear the pain of unjust suffering because we are conscious of the Love of God. We need to have a sincere love for the transgressor, rather than a love for ourselves. The Love of God must be internal and personal and "winsome" for God. Romans 12:19 says, "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." This means that when we take vengeance into our own hands, God removes His judgment. James 1:20 says, "for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." This shows us that our anger is our of a pure selfish motive. This will never lead anyone to salvation; and since it doesn't, your attitude proves that you are not a child of God.
Winning the lost is God's #1 priority, and He does this primarily through us (2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God). As workers for Jesus, we are going to experience hurt - especially when we carry the fullness of God's love for others in our hearts. When we forbid ourselves to be used by God in this manner, we are not in right standing with God - and therefore not saved.
.jpg)
When we feel we are unable to forgive - it is because we are focusing on ourselves (the pain that the person caused) rather than acknowledging the Love that God showed and demonstrated for us.
It's a self-centered version of ourselves that says, "how I feel is more important to me than anything else". When we choose this method of dealing with people who wounded us, we are failing to acknowledge the love that God has for us - and therefore we are literally turning our backs on God.
It is important that we fully understand the Love God has for us all. We do this when we come to grips of how great our own sin is. The Bible says in 1 John 1:8 that “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” When we acknowledge OUR sins that put Jesus on the Cross, we come to understand all of what He acquitted us of. Genesis 6:1-3 says "And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years."
These are the fallen gods; it's important to know that. We were pro-created with the fallen. We are children of the devil by default. When you understand how intense this is, then you realize why God required an intense atonement for us through the shedding of the Blood of Jesus on the Cross. We need to be mindful of our own sin-condition and forget about the sins of others - because we are not guaranteed eternity until we made complete in Him and we are actually there! (2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.)
Now, There is no shame in suffering, Jesus suffered for us. In fact when we suffer, we are blameless, but only as we remain in God's love. When we step out of God's love and choose division (getting even), we lose our innocence and become guilty of a greater sin...
As Christians, we will share in Christ's sufferings (Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together); but, we also inherit his blessings which (re)conditions our heart so we have the ability to forgive.
When people hurt you, it's most often because they are not established in Christ Jesus; it's important to recognize that. What's more is these folks who take-aim at you do so to test the love you have for them (although it is really God who is testing the quality of your heart; this is how He qualifies us).
When your love comes from the heart rather than the head, you will always prove yourself to be authentic; this will help you to stand firm in Christ and endure to the end! (1 John 4).
Hebrews 3:14 says "For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end."
God Bless,
Maria
Awesome word Maria....thank you!
ReplyDelete