“And be kind
and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also
forgave you in Christ.” Ephesians 4:32, HCSB
When I first
thought about writing a post on forgiveness I began to attempt to recall past
hurts and disappointments that resulted in resentment and bitterness for me. As
I tried to recall these things I realized I could only manage vague
recollections of the events. Why? Because of the power of the Holy Spirit which enabled me to
forgive fully and completely the heartaches and hurts of the past.
Until just a
few years ago I was a person filled with repressed anger, bitterness and
resentment. At that time I could give you a detailed litany of not only the
wrongs I had endured but I could also list for you each person responsible and
exactly what they had done that caused me pain. I was consumed and controlled
by the pain of the past.
I told
myself I was okay because I had forgiven everyone. After all, being a Christian
for many years I was well acquainted with scripture concerning forgiveness. I
could easily quote the Lord’s Prayer which includes the words, “forgive us our
debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors,” Matthew 6:12, HCSB.
But if I had
truly forgiven everyone, then why was it that just the mention of a past hurt would
cause me to suddenly become angry and upset? I came to realize I had allowed bitterness
to set-up housekeeping within my soul. It became obvious to me that I had
merely given lip-service to the act of forgiveness.
Bitterness
results when unforgiveness has been left to sit, soak and stew. I once read
bitterness is akin to taking poison and hoping someone else will die. It steals
your life by robbing you of peace, comfort and happiness. Bitterness is a
consuming hatred.
My so-called
forgiveness had not been genuine; it lacked authenticity. In order for an act
to be genuine, it must be supported by the evidence. If bitterness
continues to reside within your heart you are unable to exemplify those acts
which would provide evidence to support true forgiveness.
Jesus says in Matthew 12:34, “The mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.”
Again in Matthew 15:18 Jesus says, “What comes out of the mouth comes from the
heart.”
It was only
when I came to true repentance in my heart that I knew how it felt to feel
genuine forgiveness toward others. Through the power of the Holy Spirit was I
able to forgive completely. And through the work of the Holy Spirit I was able
to learn about forgiveness—what it does and what it does not do.
Forgiveness
does not correct or rewrite the past; it does not condone wrong-doing or otherwise
unacceptable behavior. It does not change the person who wronged you. However,
forgiveness does change you and because of the restorative power of forgiveness
it rewrites your future. Through the act of forgiveness you will find you are
not only able to love others fully but you are also able to love yourself. Authentic
forgiveness destroys the bitterness, the resentment, and the anger that poisons
and cripples.
Unforgiveness
robs you of fellowship with God and extinguishes spiritual growth. Repentance
brings forgiveness and forgiveness brings freedom, liberty, and peace in Christ
Jesus. Isaiah 61:1, also known as the Messiah’s Jubilee says, “The Spirit of
the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to bring good news to
the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the
captives, and freedom to the prisoners,” HCSB. Unforgiveness is a prodigious
imprisoner and it gives Satan an advantage in our lives, (2 Corinthians 2:11)!
The Apostle
Paul, in Colossians 3:12-14, says we are to put on heartfelt compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and
forgiving one another, just as Christ has forgiven us. And above all we are to put
on love which is the perfect bond of unity.
My pastor,
Dr. Richard Kaufman, says the following on a regular basis: “The biggest
bottleneck to blessings and revival in the modern church is unforgiveness and
the lack of repentance on the part of believers.” Further, he says everybody
needs forgiveness; everybody wants it; and when you receive it, it changes
everything!”
Is your life filled
with the peace, power and liberty of the Holy Spirit or is your life consumed
with hatred, bitterness, and anger? Make the choice today to forgive those who have wronged you, just as Christ has
forgiven you. Then go to Him in prayer; He is waiting to hear from you. Remember, God does not want
flowery speeches or fancy words from us but instead He desires heartfelt prayer, sincere worship and geniune devotion.
Bring your offering of worship to Him today; don’t delay.
Dear Lord, I pray for clean hands and a pure heart that I may worship You in spirit and in truth. I earnestly pray You forgive me for the times I have withheld forgiveness from others—there is no excuse for withholding forgiveness. I sincerely pray that You forgive me my trespasses as I forgive those who have trespassed against me. I desire true fellowship with You O Lord. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
God Bless!
