Luminous_Rose
CF Ambassador
- Jul 1, 2018
- 2,070
- 2,664
Forgiveness:
Forgiveness for some of us is a difficult and uncomfortable topic. Sometimes it may feel like a taboo to bring it up, but it is a critical concept to understand.
Forgiveness is a verb, it is something we do. It is not something that happens without an action.
In Matthew 6:14-15 it reads, "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
Most of us probably will not say this is our favorite Bible verse. Reading this can feel downright convicting!
Another good verse about forgiveness is Colossians 3:13, which reminds us, "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
This verse is pretty heavy, but is a great reminder that Jesus Christ died for our sins when we didn't deserve it. We are saved by His grace! If Jesus Christ can forgive us then it is possible for us to forgive others.
Now, I know what you may be thinking, "But this is just too hard! You don't understand! You have no idea what that person did to me!"
I am totally right there with you. We all have been there. We are told in Romans 12:2, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing will."
We are reminded that we are not of this world. We are called to act differently and behave differently than the world does. Jesus came to this world and showed us through physical limitation that it can be done!
May I remind you that forgiving does not mean forgetting. We have probably all heard, "Forgive and forget." It is such a common phrase, but this is not in the Bible. We can forgive, but this does not mean forgetting is a requirement. Forgiveness is not a sign of weakness. Forgiveness does not mean we have to be that
person's friend. Forgiveness does not mean to stick around and take someone else's abusive or toxic behavior. Forgiveness does not mean that we are promoting the behavior of the other person. Sometimes we even need to forgive ourselves.
Only forgive when you mean it, and do find it in your heart to forgive through meditation upon scripture and prayer. Remember we all have the same human condition of sin, and we are imperfect. We are all in nees of forgiveness and for this we need to forgive others.
Here is my challenge:
-Over these next couple weeks think of someone that did something that you have not forgiven them for. Pray, meditate on scripture, and find it in your heart to forgive. It does take time, but start today!
Forgiveness for some of us is a difficult and uncomfortable topic. Sometimes it may feel like a taboo to bring it up, but it is a critical concept to understand.
Forgiveness is a verb, it is something we do. It is not something that happens without an action.
In Matthew 6:14-15 it reads, "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
Most of us probably will not say this is our favorite Bible verse. Reading this can feel downright convicting!
Another good verse about forgiveness is Colossians 3:13, which reminds us, "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
This verse is pretty heavy, but is a great reminder that Jesus Christ died for our sins when we didn't deserve it. We are saved by His grace! If Jesus Christ can forgive us then it is possible for us to forgive others.
Now, I know what you may be thinking, "But this is just too hard! You don't understand! You have no idea what that person did to me!"
I am totally right there with you. We all have been there. We are told in Romans 12:2, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing will."
We are reminded that we are not of this world. We are called to act differently and behave differently than the world does. Jesus came to this world and showed us through physical limitation that it can be done!
May I remind you that forgiving does not mean forgetting. We have probably all heard, "Forgive and forget." It is such a common phrase, but this is not in the Bible. We can forgive, but this does not mean forgetting is a requirement. Forgiveness is not a sign of weakness. Forgiveness does not mean we have to be that
person's friend. Forgiveness does not mean to stick around and take someone else's abusive or toxic behavior. Forgiveness does not mean that we are promoting the behavior of the other person. Sometimes we even need to forgive ourselves.
Only forgive when you mean it, and do find it in your heart to forgive through meditation upon scripture and prayer. Remember we all have the same human condition of sin, and we are imperfect. We are all in nees of forgiveness and for this we need to forgive others.
Here is my challenge:
-Over these next couple weeks think of someone that did something that you have not forgiven them for. Pray, meditate on scripture, and find it in your heart to forgive. It does take time, but start today!
