8 Important Reasons 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 that God gave them grace when we believe, that they need to pay for what they did to us. Sadly, many Christians are unforgiving...

There are 4 typical reasons why people will not forgive:

1) They are filled with self-love. 2 Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy:

2) They believe they know what is best for them instead of God; 2 Timothy 4:4 and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

3) They have a hard-heart. Exodus 8:15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said.

4) They deny their own sin; Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

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 have a superiority complex. The majority of folks see them as sanctimonious.

There is a clear difference between someone who is sanctimonious, and someone who is a sinner. The sinner knows Jesus whereas the one who is sanctimonious knows not the LORD (1 John 4). This is the first most important reason why a person needs to learn how to forgive!

The sinner is honest about their sin (Luke 7:47) and is willing to acknowledge (repent) it; but the one who is sanctimonious, is too focused on the sins of others. This is the second most important reason why we need to learn how to forgive.

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, because those who are only focused on the sins of others grow in wickedness and 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 become one when you assume you are already one".

New Christians have this one 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. When people challenge their authority, they cut people off; but little do they realize that they are cut off! This reinforces that their hearts are filled with self-love. 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 the biggest fail of the modern church. They miss the concept every time I hear a sermon preached on the subject. The Modern church's teaching appeals to self as opposed to Following Christ. Jesus says in Matthew 5:22 "But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire." This verse is a direct consequence for those who are hostile toward others. Romans 2:1 also says, "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things." The best way to learn how to forgive others is by acknowledging your own sin and realizing the importance of the Blood of Jesus, and what it means personally, to you. If you have been struggling to forgive, I pray this speaks to your heart in a rich way. God Bless