Transformational Tip
Forgiveness requires our facing the truth; The truth of Christ’s death to pay our price forgiveness. The truth of our own sin and desperate need. The truth that if we are ever to be free, we must receive Christ’s forgiveness. The truth that we need to extend that powerful gift of grace to others and forgive those who have hurt us.
In order to experience true freedom in Christ, we must forgive those who have caused us harm or disappointment…even when that means forgiving ourselves.
All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, He freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins. How can we do less? Are we more powerful than God? Do we have a higher standard than God. Are we more upset about sin than God is?
Forgiven by the Lord, we have both the reason and responsibility to forgive others. Forgiveness is a choice we make. When we forgive, it really shows that we understand who we are, who God is, and what He really did for us. On the cross.
Sometimes it is hard to let go. In fact, when we have been deeply hurt, it may not be possible to forgive…on our own. But it is important to remember that we don’t have to do it alone. With Him as our model and empowering us, as well as truly accepting His forgiveness, we can forgive…and actually enjoy blessing others as well as freeing ourselves.
Today, if you are struggling to forgive, ask Jesus to help You. Then look at whether you really understand and have accepted who you are, the sins you have committed, what you did to deserve God’s forgiveness, and whther you realize the unfair pain and sacrifice Jesus endured for you.
Click here to share your perspective about forgiving…when it’s hard.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I’ve kept these feelings of resentment and unforgiveness buried much too long. I know I didn’t deserve Your forgiveness of me, so help me understand I cant wait for someone else to “deserve” my forgiveness before I give it. Help me to face the truth. Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness. Help me to show the same to others, even those who have hurt me. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One to who paid for all my sins, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:23-24
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
John 8:32
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Comments (2)
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what a powerful subject, thank you for writing this. I find that forgiving allows me to be more "me", by not letting the sin stand in the way any longer it allows me to be what God needs me to be, myself. I do find that when I talk about forgiveness to people they usually look at me like I have a 2nd head. It hurts me that so many people hang onto bad feelings for so long and allow that cancer from separating them from God and living!
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It would be interesting to note that forgiveness may need to be a continual choice. I may choose to forgive someone today, but that doesn't mean I will never again struggle with unforgiveness against him. When Satan brings back those hurt feelings, I have to AGAIN choose to trust God and re-forgive that person.
It is hard to forgive someone who has hurt us, but I have found it is even harder to forgive someone who has hurt our children. I have chosen to forgive the person who sexually abused my son, but that is an area where I'm continually challenged to RE-forgive!
I have to remember that God chose to forgive me once at the Cross, but He continually chooses to forgive me daily (hourly!) sins as well.