One of the basic principals of Christianity through our personal relationship with Jesus is forgiveness of sins. Jesus says in Luke 6:37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” If we are to strive to mirror Christ, that includes forgiving others – even when they don’t deserve it.
Jesus says in Mark 11:25-26 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Forgiveness doesn’t see right and wrong. I confess that this is not easy…especially when you have been wronged. But with God all things are possible.
There are to be no limits or conditions to our forgiveness if we are to model Christ. We need to get to forgiveness quickly so we don’t give the devil a foothold. God tells us in Isaiah 43:25, “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins.” We know that God can’t truly forget anything. If He did, then the devil would know something God didn’t know. God chooses to forget by not counting our sins against us. Forgiveness is a choice – a matter of our will – not of our feelings. My Pastor says when you don’t forgive someone, they hold your happiness in their pocket. Choosing not to forgive may seem like we are in control, but in actuality, unforgiveness controls us. It causes bitterness and a hard heart, which negatively impacts all of our relationships.
So how do we forgive others the way God has forgiven us? It cannot be done without the Holy Spirit changing us – prayer is our first line of defense. Next, we must consciously choose to forgive quickly. When we are the offender (even if only in the other person’s eyes), we should strive to say “I’m sorry” and ask for forgiveness quickly. Commit that you will not bring up past wrongs – period. And finally, just as you were forgiven without paying a price, do not require others to pay a price for your forgiveness.
I encourage you to write down all unrepented sin and all unforgiveness on a blank piece of paper. When you are finished, pray over the paper – asking God to remove all unforgiveness in your heart. Then destroy the paper (burn it, shred it, tear it to pieces) and make it as dust beneath your feet. If you need to make something right with someone, write out a letter apologizing. Sleep on it, go back to it and make sure it does not make excuses for your behavior. Show it to your pastor for counsel. Then read it to them in person or over the phone; mail it to them; or, if they have passed away, read it aloud and destroy it. And don’t bring anything up or talk about it with anyone else – ever.
Go forgive someone.