Forgiveness

Scriptures: Matthew 6:12-15, Luke 17:3, Colossians 3:13, Ephesians 4:32

Significance of Forgiveness?

Humans can’t avoid offending others and be offended by others in our day-to-day interactions. And while we cannot control how others feel or act when offended, we have the free will to decide how we will react when we are offended by others. So today, we will see what forgiveness is. Forgiving others is the secret to happy and prolonged relationships in all facets of life: in the family, at work, at school, in Church, and in the community. It’s not easy to forgive others who have hurt us, but this is exactly what Jesus commands us to do. Even if the other person is not sorry, we must forgive them sincerely, obeying God’s will. 

We must first explore what forgiveness is not to be able to comprehend what forgiveness is. The following are the significance of forgiveness. 

·Forgiveness does not justify the offender. Ephesians 4:32 

·Forgiveness is not approving the wrong done. It is overlooking it out of love. Luke 17:3 

·Forgiveness does not prevent correction or rebuke. 

·Forgiveness does not require us to be silent about injustice, improper conduct or evil deeds. Instead, we can correct, rebuke or discipline the offenders while still loving them. 

·Forgiveness does not harbor bitterness. The offenses may produce pain or hurt, but there is no true forgiveness if any bitterness is harbored against the offender. 

·Forgiveness is an opportunity for self-examination. 

·Forgiveness is a chance to evaluate our own lives. Whenever we find it difficult to forgive others, we should consider the wrongs for which God so graciously forgives us. Colossians 3:13 

·Forgiveness is a process of handing over to God. Matthew 6:14 

·Forgiveness is an act in which we forfeit the right to hold another person responsible for the wrongs they have done to us. Instead, we hand it over to God. It means releasing that person from any obligation to make things right to us, only to God. Matthew 6:12-15 

Everyone should be careful what they do to others. However, the fact that we receive forgiveness from men does not mean that God will not judge us for our actions. God forgives our sins and commands us always to forgive those who offend us. Colossians 3:13

Scriptures: Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:12, Matthew 18:21-22, Matthew 18:35

Pattern of Forgiveness

Christianity is fundamentally about forgiving people. Jesus’ incredible act of self-sacrifice serves as the ideal illustration of forgiveness and the benchmark by which God’s followers are expected to forgive others Ephesians 4:32. God’s forgiveness is our pattern for forgiving others. We could not learn the pattern of forgiving others if we do not learn the pattern God use in forgiving us, let us look at God pattern of forgiveness. God established a comprehensive system and a template for pardoning sinners through Moses. Do you remember it? The offender was required to bring the priest a spotless animal. The priest would then sacrifice the animal in the penitent’s place as the intermediary between God and man, atoning for the sinner. Therefore, the person who brought the sacrifice was confident that God had pardoned him for his transgression because of the offering he had made. Sacrifice. Mediator. Blood. Forgiveness. That was the pattern God Himself established for the pardoning of sins. There was nothing else.

Although God freely extends forgiveness, we cannot fully comprehend the price. No one deserves God’s pardon because, as offenders, we are weak, sinning, unworthy enemies who should receive God’s wrath. But God willingly offers forgiveness even to those unworthy of receiving it. God showed us by his love, kindness, and grace that he is willing to forgive. His ability to pardon us comes naturally to him and is unrelated to our readiness to repent or do acts of repentance. We have this grace because of the person God so deeply loves. According to the depths of his grace, we have redemption through his blood and the ability to have our sins forgiven in himEphesians 1:7-10. When a person receives God’s forgiveness, their prior sins are no longer a basis for a relationship. Forgiveness is offered because it is needed, not because it is deserved. It can be granted for any sin, from simple mistakes to the worst imaginable. Forgiveness covers all time, so that past sin is not brought up again in an accusing or manipulative manner.

Because God has forgiven us, we have reason and the ability to forgive others Matthew 18:21-22. As God has erased our sins and sees us as holy and blameless through Christ, we can and should seek to do the same to others: to erase the sins of others from our ledger of wrongs. God forgives us without limit, as long as there is genuine repentance. We are also expected to forgive others without limit. And, just as God forgives us completely, immediately, and with sincerity, we are expected to show these qualities in our forgiveness to others. Let us rely on God’s power, trust his word, respond to Christ’s love, and forgive others, demonstrating the difference Jesus has made in our life.

Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 2:10-11, Matthew 5:7, Hebrews 12:14-15

Benefit of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is ideal not only to the person being forgiven but also to the person forgiving. Emotional well-being and freedom can be attained via forgiveness. It has the power to free us from the hurts of the past, whether we are talking about ten minutes ago or ten years ago. The following are benefit of forgiveness:

·Forgiveness sets us free from hatred and bitterness. We are released from the grip of hatred and resentment in our hearts toward other people when we sincerely forgive them. Joseph did not dispute the fact that his brother’s behavior was wicked. Joseph, though, resisted becoming resentful as a result of their acts. Joseph didn’t offer any justifications for their actions. He knew that responsibility for their deeds lay with God, not him. However, Joseph could console and be compassionate to his brothers since he had forgiven his brothers.

·Forgiveness shields us from satanic attacks. Non forgiveness will give Satan an entry point in our lives, from where he takes advantage of us. When Satan gains such a foothold, he keeps us in bondage. Because of past sins they haven’t forgiven, Satan still wants to take control of many Christians, preventing them from receiving God’s forgiveness. 2 Corinthians 2:10-11

·Forgiveness unlocks for us the door of mercy and divine favor. God, however, will only pardon us to the extent of our willingness to pardon others. This indicates that if we don’t forgive others, God’s mercy will be closed to us, and we won’t experience his favor in this life. It makes sense that Jesus advises us to resolve the matter of forgiving others before going to the altar of God to worship and give sacrifices.

·Forgiveness will qualify you for eternal rewards. One of the greatest requirements in entering the kingdom of God is to pursue peace with all men. The root of bitterness and non-forgiveness defies our garment of righteousness and will hinder us from enjoying eternity in heaven and receiving eternal rewards.

Perhaps you have never received the forgiveness of sin God provided through his son, Jesus Christ. The truth is we will never be able to forgive those who have hurt us until we have experienced the forgiveness of God. You need the assurance that your sins are forgiven through the precious blood of Jesus by receiving him as your personal Lord and Saviour. You will need to live daily for Jesus, with the readiness to forgive others their sins against you, even when they do not ask for forgiveness.