The World's Empty PromisesSample

Unforgiveness vs. Forgiveness

People live for themselves if they have not let God transform their lives. Selfishness is at their core, and without Christ they cannot overcome it. When they get hurt – backstabbing, revenge, blame, and punishment for the offender are normal. When someone hurts us, we come under their spell if we don’t let it go right away. We become their slave, because we can’t get them out of our mind, and every thought of them stresses us. Unforgiveness drags a person down, shortens lives, and often compromises health – because God did not design us to hold onto bitterness and unforgiveness, and the stress it causes is destructive.

We end this series with one true promise the world cannot make, cannot fake, and cannot even conceive. Forgiveness is that positive, glorious promise, and it is vital in the life of every Christ follower. Colossians 1:14 tells us that in Christ we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins, and 1 John 1:9 says that if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Because God forgives us, we are free from our sins. We are free to live God’s way. Jesus has busted up our chains of guilt. We are free to forgive ourselves, and we are free to forgive others. Forgiveness is one of the most freeing attributes of a life lived in the transforming grasp of the Holy Spirit; as our hearts become more and more like Christ, forgiveness becomes normal, expected, and natural. Jesus Christ has forgiven us for every sin: past, present and future, and therefore with His strength we should forgive others their grievances, and let them go.

Romans 6:9-12, “For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.”

Daniel 9:9 says, “To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness.” Forgiveness is part of God’s character. He is the One who initiated the offer of forgiveness for us, and there is no forgiveness possible apart from coming to Him through Jesus.

Matthew 6:14-15 tells us that if we forgive others their trespasses, our heavenly Father will forgive us, but if we do not forgive others [instead holding on to the pursuit of revenge and grudges] their trespasses, our Father will not forgive our trespasses.

If you know Christ, you are FREE. Two of the most glorious verses in scripture are Romans 8:1-2, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” Yes, you are forgiven, and since you are to live as Christ would, you can let the grudges of life go into the depths of the sea, right alongside your sins.

How should we live? "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. . . they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the Lord. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." Jeremiah 31:33-34 (TNIV)

Reflection: Is your life free in Christ, or are you locked into the bondage of unforgiveness and bitterness? Come to Him in prayer right now in confession and enjoy the real freedom, joy and peace which come from a life surrendered to Jesus Christ. Reading the book of Philippians, often called the ‘book of joy’ in the Bible (and it is joy in spite of Paul’s circumstances) would be a wonderful way to increase your own joy and appreciation for the majesty of Jesus Christ.

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We hope you have been encouraged reading this plan. If you have gained a new appreciation for knowing Jesus Christ, and living in His presence and protection, we invite you to join us in our course called The Life of Jesus, and we also invite you to sign up for our daily devotional.