8 Important Reasons To Forgive

"Blessed are those who forgive without an apology - for some were given and refused to forgive"

Luke 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

Oddly enough, there are twice as many reasons to forgive as opposed to refraining...

The primary reason people harbor unforgiveness is they abhor the idea of God's grace, and believe the person needs to pay for what they've done.

There are 4 typical reasons why people will not forgive:

1) They are indignant: Ephesians 4:26-27 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil.

2) They believe that they are perfect and refuse to acknowledge their own sin: 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

3) They are filled with self-righteousness and prefer to judge what others have done instead of what they have done: Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

4) They are outside of God's love: 1 John 4:18-20 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

The Bible makes it clear that they are seeing themselves incorrectly. 1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Those who have a perfect image of themselves do so out of a judging heart; There is only one judge James 4:12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. This is the first & most important reason why a person needs to learn how to forgive. We are imperfect people - dealing with imperfect people!

The sinner is honest about their sin (Luke 7:47) and is willing to acknowledge it; but the one who judges is focused only on the sins of others. This is the second most important reason why we need to learn how to forgive. When we acknowledge our own wrongdoing, we are in a better position to recognize the need for mercy. I want to highlight an important point on this: Many have suffered unjust/undeserved abuse; your suffering does not qualify you as a judge; you responded with pride instead of humility. You need to take-care and realize that you are/were dealing with an imperfect person.

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Unforgiveness is a poison to the soul, those who are only focused on the wrongs of others grow in self-righteous pride. This is the third most important reason we need to learn how to forgive. Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. (Remember, froward means righting your wrongs...)

There is this quote which reads; "it is much easier to become a Christian when you aren't one, than to believe you are already one". New Christians have this advantage: "they are only aware of the wrongs they themselves have committed".

Those who are locked-in to their own sense of being are headed for destruction. This is the fourth most important reason we need to learn how to forgive.

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

When people deem themselves to be as holy as God, they have a false sense of authority. This is because the truth is not in them. They have elevated themselves higher than Jesus. Rather than taking accountability, they cut off the people who would question their integrity; but little do they realize that they are cut off! Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! This is the fifth most important reason we need to learn how to forgive.

Jesus tells us to learn from Him; however, we cannot learn from Him IF we are cut off from Him. Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. The Bible shows us that when our hearts are in Right Standing with God and others, we can endure anything. When we are in Right Standing with God, we have the Mind of Christ. 1 Peter 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. This is the sixth most important reason we need to learn how to forgive.

Christ's work in you is perfected when you overcome unforgiveness and all it's ugliness attached to it. 2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. This is the seventh most important reason we need to learn how to forgive. 

Unforgiveness leads to an eternity apart from God. This is the eigth most important reason we need to learn how to forgive. 

Proper teaching on forgiveness is one of the biggest fails of the modern church. 

The Modern church's teaching appeals to self as opposed to truth. The main reason I don't attend church is because they teach about the anti-Christ, not Jesus. Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 

I need to highlight another important point here; We do not deny that Jesus is the Son with our mouths, James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. We deny it with our character. The mouth is part of the flesh, but the heart is part of the soul: James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

I pray this speaks to your heart in a rich way. 

God Bless