The Joy of Forgiveness

This morning at the end of my message, I had to ask forgiveness from the congregation. At the end I spoke too emotionally about our failure to witness as we should, to have passion for those who are lost and hurting. I stood by everything I said, I just said it in the wrong way. So I did what was required and appropriate.

As is usually the case, I found that most of the congregation was not offended at all. But for those who may have been, me humbling myself and admitting a wrong was necessary. In the bible the act of asking for and granting forgiveness is one of the most blessed things God reveals to us. Us being forgiven by God for our transgressions is our invitation to heaven. Our granting forgiveness to those who have sinned against us is us being Christlike, and living in the power of the Holy Spirit.

As difficult as it sometimes to forgive someone a wrong, it is not an option for the believer. Through the blood of Christ, their is no sin of ours against God that is not forgiven when we confess and repent of the sin. As a believer their is no sin someone commits against us we are not to forgive. This does not mean we have to forget. We are not called to place ourselves in a position where continued harm can be done to us. What we are called to do is unconditionally release the hard feelings, the anger, the bitterness that can result from someone offending us, just as God has released all we have done to Him through Christ.

The act of forgiving someone allows us to truly appreciate the forgiveness we receive, from other people and from God. To know that in spite of our sinful acts at times, that we can experience the grace that is granted through forgiveness should compel us to forgive as surely and completely as we have been forgiven. Sadly, for many Christians, the sin of unforgiveness permeates their soul far for than the joy of forgiveness.

As freeing as releasing our hard feelings and forgiving someone is, the conscious act of not forgiving someone is binding. Unforgiveness imprisons our souls with anger and bitterness. It harbors feelings that grow like a cancer, underneath the surface, but deadly none the less. Instead of being Christlike, we are bound by our flesh, that is, until we release those feelings and forgive.

So on this Lord's day, I openly plea to you. If their is someone whom you have not forgiven in your life, do so now. For perspective just reflect upon all of the things God has forgiven you of. Is there anything as wicked as you have done to God that someone has done to you? If we desire the grace of God in our lives, we must forgive. To not do so serves only Satan, and inhibits the work of God in our lives, churches and nation.