2Cor 2:7 - So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
Forgiveness is from the Greek word aphesis meaning freedom; pardon, deliverance, liberty, remission. Forgive is defined according to the English Dictionary as; to pardon, to waive any negative feeling or desire for punishment. While Forgiveness is defined as readiness to forgive, the action of forgiving.
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”
Eph 4:26, 29-32 - Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
It’s so disheartening that some believers still don’t know how to practice forgiveness and have often failed in their part to let go, but you still find them asking for their own forgiveness from the Father (God) during their prayers. They profess to have forgiven their fellow men outwardly; yet they are pregnant of grudges and malice on the inside; leaving the other party with the assurance of freedom from guilt, even as they wallow in the bondage of stagnancy; they pave way for Satan’s advantage (oppression and captivity). Some would even swear never to settle their dispute or disagreement and forgive themselves until afterlife.
That is a desidous act not expected to be heard and found among believers; why? Because it is not in our nature. How amazing are the childish ways we’ve refused and shun which are meant to overthrown our hardened hearts. Have you seen two children who are playmates (might not have anything in common) but got mad at each other because of a toy? After being separated from their fight, no matter how numerous the warnings of their parents might be (for the fear of quarrelling again), they always find means to get along with each other, while the parents are amazed at their quick resolution (with the prior motive of separating them). They will have to let them be. Children’s hearts are so softened and quick at forgetting the past on their discord that brought about their distance (even when innocent) but they are so minded at repairing the present to influence the hope of their future, to the extent that their bond becomes stronger than before.
Knowing fully well (not ignorant) the act of God’s forgiveness displayed in Christ to men, as believers born of the nature of Christ, it is expedient we forgive others in love (even as God had forgiven us). To the natural man, forgiveness isn’t an easy task irrespective of the offence but to the spiritual man, it is an honour to replicate the love of God in action (Col 3:13 - Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.).
What should be the bedrock of your forgiveness? Charity or Love (1Cor 13:4-7 - [5]Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; [7]Beareth all things... , Col 3:14, 1Pet 4:8 - And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. and 1Jh 3:18-22).
Instances of men at the point of forgiveness (Job 42:9-10 - So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job. And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.,
Matt 18:23-33 -[27]Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. [32]Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: [33]Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? [34]And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. [35]So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. )
What did Christ and the Apostles taught on how to forgive? (Luk 17:3-4 - Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.,
Matt 18:15-17,21-22 - Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.,
Jam 5:16 - 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.)
Dangers of unforgiveness (Mrk 11:24-26 - Hindrances to prayer, 2Cor:10-11 – Satan having advantage that is, through guilt and the heaviness of heart to inflict with fear, malice, anger etc and Matt 18:34-35 – eternal damnation).
Rewards or surrounding positivity of forgiveness (Matt 6:14, Col 3:15 (Peace, Joy, Comfort, Freedom, Innocence or Justification, no condemnation etc).
Spiritual Charge💥💥 (Reviving the passion for fervency and birthing spiritual potential of God in men)
Wow¡ this is much....God bless you. Words of wisdom
ReplyDeleteAmen sir/ma, thanks so much for taking your time to reading through. God bless.
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