ForgivenessSample

Forgiveness equals freedom

Sometimes someone does something that hurts to the point that you can’t bring yourself to forgive them. Why should you? Desmond Tutu writes: "Without forgiveness, we remain tethered to the person who harmed us. We are bound with chains of bitterness, tied together, trapped." Unforgiveness locks us in a cage of unhappiness. We are no longer in control of our own hearts. Psychologist Fred Luskin suggests that the act of forgiving "has been shown to reduce depression, increase hopefulness, decrease anger, improve spiritual connection, and increase emotional self-confidence. "

Holding on to past hurts is damaging emotionally, physically, and spiritually. God has forgiven us. Our wrongdoings have been covered by the Blood of Jesus who died on the Cross so we are New Creations. Forgiveness is part of being in right relationship with God. In Matthew 6, having taught the disciples to pray, Jesus tells them, "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins."

God has made us for relationship, with each other, and with Himself. If we hang on to grudges, if we refuse to forgive, our hearts aren’t right with the Lord. If God has forgiven us of our sins (and we know He has) then each of us has a responsibility to forgive ourselves, and each other, as a continuing attitude of the heart. Jesus Himself tells us that we "must forgive" (Luke 17:4). Forgive, as we have been forgiven. It is part of the continuing process of repentance and deepens our relationship with Christ (Mark 11:25).

Written by CHRIS PARFOOT