"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." Matthew 18:21-22
Are we hurting? Are we angry with those who hurt
us?
Romans 12:14 says, “Bless those who persecute you;
bless and do not curse."
The Lord has been speaking to me about forgiveness and
blessing those who hurt me. I remember what my pastor said to me after I shared
with him my situation. Pastor said, “Forgive, bless and release.” It is not
easy but it is a choice as well as a command from the Lord Jesus. Thank God I was
able to forgive, bless, and release, rather than stay bitter and angry. Praise
God!
Matthew 5:23-24 says, “Therefore if you bring your
gift to the alter, and there remember that your brother has something against
you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be
reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”
Jesus tells us to forgive anyone who may be hurting us
now or has hurt us in the past. Walking in true forgiveness is vital for
our own spiritual walk, a physical health, and restoration/reconciliation. The
enemy will try to destroy our walk with our Lord Jesus Christ by our
building a wall of unforgiveness in our hearts. Unforgiveness produces in
us a root of bitterness that poisons our entire system.
Jesus recognized this problem and often taught this lesson. In Matthew Jesus preached the absolute necessity of our taking responsibility of forgiving others. When we think about it, we come to realize that forgiveness is for our good. Sometimes our own selfishness creates many unnecessary struggles over the years. Even now, selfish resentment creeps in and we have to deal with it. Let us recognized and deal with it before it gets worse! Unforgiveness is based on pride and selfishness. We say, “I have a right to be happy…..” Jeremiah 17:5 says, “A man is cursed when he takes his trust from the Lord and puts it in flesh.”
"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right
in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live
at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, but leave room for God's wrath,
for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the
Lord." Romans 12:17-19
Let us remember all things are under the control of our God, who is the
God of the universe. Romans 8:31 say, “If God is for us, who can be
against us?”
What is the meaning of forgiveness? It is like canceling a debt. It is releasing the offender from your hook and putting them on God's hook for Him to deal with justly.
We have no greater example of love and forgiveness
than our Lord Jesus Himself. Jesus went through pain and suffering, more than
anyone can endure. He was rejected by Pharisees, Sadducees, chief priests and
leaders of the people. Even Jesus disciple/ fled when He was arrested! (Matt 26:56b).
Later on, after Jesus was crucified, His blood poured out in love, Jesus said, “Father
forgives them, for they do not know what they do.”(Luke23:34)
Stephen, the first martyr. Followed
our Lord example. Acts 7:60 says, “Lord do not holed charge them with this sin.”
And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Matthew 6:12, 14-15 says, "And forgive us our
debts, as we forgive our debtors.
For if we forgive men when they sin against us, our
heavenly Father will also forgive us. But if we do not forgive men their sins, our
Father will not forgive our sins." Our Heavenly Father created us and
loves us very much; He gave His only begotten Son to die for our sins. Today,
let us seek our Lord for His love and compassion as only He can give. If
someone should hurt, ridicule, reject or abandon us, we know Our Heavenly Father
will never leave us or forsake us. Hebrews 13:5 says, "Never will I
leave you; never will I forsake you."
Let us forgive, bless. Release in Jesus Name! Amen!
