Forgiveness

 Forgiveness-a simple act of showing love and grace.

What exactly does this act look like? Most of us know but few of us have really experienced it's freeing affects. We aren't only to forgive to make others feel better or, for reconciliation. We are also to forgive to free ourselves from allowing Satan to grip onto us and turn our hearts bitter toward the one who has wronged us. We must all master the act of forgiveness. If we want to be forgiven then we must forgive others as well as ourselves.

"Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a milestone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trepass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trepass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him." Luke 17:1-4 KJV

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32 KJV

A life of forgiveness is a life of freedom. This allows you not to be under another's grip. "Don't give anyone else power over you. Choose  restoration and reconciliation over retaliation" -Unknown

If we can't forgive our fellow christians of their wrong ­doings, then how are we going to forgive unbelievers of theirs?

"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Matthew 6:12 KJV

For every sin you have committed, Christ has forgiven you. We are to do the same to others no matter the amount of wrong doings they have done to us.

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your tespasses." Matthew 6:14-15 KJV

"For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee." Psalm 86:5 KJV

Wounds need time to heal. Forgiveness doesn't mean forgetfulness. Although, this is something we should strive to do that way we aren't continually having it come to the forefront of our mind. We are not a supernatural being. The devil will use our memory, or distort our memory, to remind of us of the wounds left by others. After our forgiveness is rendered and time continues on, our wounds will be heal.

"The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly." Proverbs 18:8 KJV -I have more on this verse but that's for another time.

"He healeth the broken in heart, and bibdeth up their wounds." Psalm 147:3 KJV

Forgiveness isn't something we just say. It's an action as well. Forgive a wrong doing of a friend but then continue on with that friendship. If we can't forgive and move on, then you will never have friends, at least real true friends. We all stumble and fall. We are all human. We will constantly be wronged by others. Why, because we are human. We are selfish. We are not perfect. Once we accept those things, forgiveness will come more naturally.

"If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." Romans 12:18 KJV -There is so much I could say about this verse, but I'll save that for another time as well.

Obviously there are so many verses in the Bible regarding forgiveness. I barely scratched the surface. I encourage you to do your own study on forgiveness. It will only be a help to you, not a hindrance.

*Our goal should not only be, to be forgiven but also forgive those who have wronged us.

~JuneAnn Miller