Forgiveness

In this time of turmoil, where anger, bitterness, and resentment seem to rule, there is an issue that can make or break us.  It is an issue for which God holds us accountable.  That issue is forgiveness.  God, through His Son, gave His all for us, so that we could acquire the forgiveness we needed/need for our sins. Jesus suffered on a cruel cross, as the sinless Son of God, so that our sins could be forgiven.

God's Word is quite clear that we are expected to forgive others just as He, through Jesus' shed blood, forgives us.

Mark 11:25 and 26 (NLT), "But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. 26 But if you refuse to forgive, your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins."

Matthew 18:21 and 22, "Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."

Colossians 3:13 (NLT), "Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others."

Ephesians 4:32 (NLT), "Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you."

In the New Spirit Filled Life Bible, forgiveness is described as "an act in which one person releases another from an offense - refusing to enact the penalty due him or her, refusing to sustain consideration of the cause of the offence, and refusing to allow that offence to affect the relationship. Such forgiveness releases one from a sense of unresolved guilt, restores a clear conscience, and restores relationship.  To forgive is not to condone the sin as acceptable, to say it made no difference, or to license repetition of it.  Rather, forgiveness is a choice - a decision made to no longer hold an offense against another person or group.

I have often heard, "I can't forgive them...you don't know what they have done to me." It is not always easy to forgive, however, with the Lord's help, it is not impossible.

I will share a true story, at this time.  Nickel Mines, PA, 2006.  A man stormed into an Amish one-room school house, shot ten girls, killing five of them before dying by suicide.  The Amish Community chose to forgive the man.  They donated money to the killer's widow and three children and attended his funeral. 

There are numerous stories of mothers whose sons were killed by drunk drivers or gang related shootings.  Those mothers have publicly forgiven their son's killers.

What we have to remember, is the magnitude of our sins that God forgave, because of Jesus' sacrifice.  It was our sin that caused the necessity of Jesus' horrific death on the cross, as He bore the penalty of that sin.

 When we cannot find it within ourselves to forgive an offense, then, we can ask the Holy Spirit to help us make that choice and determination.

In the Lord's prayer, we are taught to ask for forgiveness as we are compelled to forgive others.  Jesus said that we need to forgive others so that the Father can forgive us.  Matthew 6:12 and 14 (NLT), "and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. ... 14 "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you."

Even the medical profession is beginning to see and address the physiological value of forgiveness. From the John Hopkins Hospital website, we read: "Chronic anger puts you in a fight or flight mode, which results in numerous changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and, immune response.  Those changes, then increases the risk of depression, heart disease, and diabetes, among other conditions.  Forgiveness, however, calms stress levels, leading to improved health."

Unforgiveness is classified in medical books as a disease.  According to Dr. Steven Standiford, Chief of Surgery at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, "refusing to  forgive makes people sick and keeps them that way."

Here is a quote from the Mayo Clinic website, " Letting go of grudges and bitterness can make way for improved health and peace of mind.  Forgiveness can lead to: Healthier relationships, Improved mental health, Less anxiety, Fewer symptoms of depression, A stronger immune system, and Improved heart health."

Lastly, a quote from the "Spiritual Living for Busy People" website, "Unforgiveness is a scheme of the enemy to keep our eyes on ourselves, thus missing out on that personal relationship with Jesus Christ."

When we examine the issue of unforgiveness, we discover that it causes anger, bitterness, and resentment, and does more harm to the one who does not forgive that to the one to whom our unforgiveness is directed.

Galatians 5:14 (NIV) tells us, "For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

We read in 1 Corinthians 5:14 (Amplified Bible), "Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it - pays no attention to a suffered wrong."

When we choose to live in God's love (unconditional love) we will refuse to take offense at what others say or do.  If we do not take offense, then we have nothing to forgive.  I refer to this as walking in love and forgiveness.

We will live a life filled with greater contentment, joy, and peace if we will choose to forgive.

Choose to not let unforgiveness break you!  Ask the Holy Spirit to help you release your pain, hurt, and bitterness for the wrong you have suffered.  He is your Helper!  I urge you to call out to Him now.