21 Ways To Thrive By 45預覽

Forgive

Withholding forgiveness gives us a false sense of power. A false sense of power is pride that leads us astray. We make excuses as to why we could never forgive those who have wronged us. In doing so we leave our souls parched of fresh grace. We think we’re justified in our refusal to offer forgiveness, but our heart grows cold to the love of Jesus when we harbor bitter feelings. We’ll find ourselves in alignment with the way of the Father when we forgive others for what they’ve done to us. No matter if we think we deserved it or not. Forgiveness is a powerful tool in the hands of an honest heart. One that desires wholeness and growth. Forgiveness mirrors the heart of Jesus.

We’ve been forgiven of much. In Isaiah 1, we see Israel, who’ve sinned against God, offered a portion of grace when they are willing to walk away from their disastrous ways and “settle the matter” when they choose to accept forgiveness they could never work themselves into. It was a gift only God could give. The same is for us. We can’t earn our forgiveness. We simply ask. It’s given by a holy, sacred God.

When we accept the forgiveness of Jesus and seek it from others, we grow closer in unity and communion. It gives us a healthy reminder of just how much we need Jesus and how much we need each other.

In Mark 11, we see how serious Jesus finds the act of forgiveness to be. Addressing the crowd, with Jewish listeners, he expressed how the custom of standing in a posture of prayer was not acceptable until you’d forgiven those who’d hurt you. With the same desire to be forgiven, we forgive. When we forgive, we aren’t dismissing the pain or betrayal that’s taken place. We release the offense to a God who is no stranger to pain or betrayal. Forgiveness declares that grace is greater than bitterness or resentment. It doesn’t give a shred of power to our offender. It sets us free.