“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 6:14-15 KJV
Forgive and you will be forgiven .
Don't forgive and you won't be forgiven.
But how do you know if you have forgiven a wrong?
I can personally attest to the fact, that when it is truly forgiven, the wrong no longer hurts! And it doesn't matter the severity of the wrong! Any wrong! The most heinous wrong, when forgiven from the heart no longer hurts! It's as if it never happened!
It's not just saying "I forgive."
The key is repentance for your sin of not forgiving. We as followers of Jesus Christ are commanded to forgive; by Jesus Himself! It should be second nature to us to immediately forgive every wrong!
No exception!
BUT, we do not forgive to take away their power over us, like the meme says on Facebook. That is a lie! We forgive because we love The LORD our God and obey His Commandments!
It is out of love for Him!
It's out of obedience!
You see when we don't obey, we sin! Then we are not only wronged, but in the wrong!
This is a hard thing and so contrary to what the world does. The world says you are justified in withholding forgiveness. Just put it behind you; shake it off; don't look back! You have a right to your anger! We don't talk about such things!
But that's not the way of the Cross!
We are to be like Jesus. He suffered unjustly. He forgave us and died for our sins, and we are commanded to do the same; if we want His forgiveness!
Forgiveness is a choice!
You do it to His glory!
It's the very first step to following Him! And it's a daily walk! It's never ending! Every hurt must be forgiven to put that sin under the blood!
“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”
Matthew 5:7 KJV
We MUST forgive to receive forgiveness.
We MUST extend mercy to receive mercy.
The Law of reciprocity.
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
Galatians 6:7 KJV
“The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.” Proverbs 11:18 KJV
When you don't forgive; when you don't give mercy you become the wicked.
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15 KJV
There is no middle ground!
Thank God for His mercy and grace.
If you desire to follow Jesus, you must obey His Word!
If you Do Not then He says:
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”Matthew 7:22-23 KJV
This is serious stuff!
Pray, "God show me those I have not forgiven", and I promise you -
faces will appear in your mind of all of them! There will be a flood of names of those who have hurt you which you have stuffed in your heart! Unforgiveness is from where bitterness comes! Both will make you sick! Both will kill you!
You need healing? Repent!
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16 KJV
It's time to deal with your sins, one by one!
Repent while there is still time!
Even so - MARANATHA!
1/2/17
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