By Pastor Dave
Do you know what they did, what they said, how they acted? I can’t forgive.
Sound familiar?
I had a conversation with a believer about his reluctance to forgive. “God can forgive but I can’t”, he said. If you are a true believer you are called to forgive. You are told to forgive by Jesus Himself. See Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” (NAS) There are no other options. We are commanded to forgive.
Also, in the Lord’s prayer in Luke 11:4, it says forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us. (paraphrase). Also Colossians 3:13, …Forgiving each other….just as the Lord has forgiven you. (paraphrase).
Forgiveness is an act of the will. You have to make a conscience effort to forgive. Is it easy? No. Does the hurt and offense go away? Sometimes, but not always. Will you forget all about it? Probably not. But you will be released from the burden, the anger and the poison of it. You will find release and healing. You will feel the joy that comes with obeying the Lord. And a door of reconciliation can be made possible.
Forgiveness blesses you!