Bible Study The Greatest Example Of Forgiveness

[Greg Gordon]

But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. – Matthew 6:15


Lesson of Forgiveness


Sometimes the lesson of forgiveness can only be obtained through being the recipient of someone not being willing to forgive you. If we have been hurt in our past by someone we can be those who will not forgive others who hurt us.

When we do not release others we end up not releasing ourselves. Even physical ailments can be a result of this pent up hurt and unforgiveness that manifests itself in bitterness, envy, resentment and even anger. For a Christian to hold onto any grudge or anger towards someone in the body of Christ affects not just themselves but others are defiled by their sin. It is not only a sin to not forgive but as we do this we enter into the strategy of satan because the demonic world is a world of unforgiveness. Not offering forgiveness is to not offer the love of Christ to another believer.



We have received unmerited grace and forgiveness but then we say to someone “I will not forgive you,” we are doing what is opposite than Christ. When we do not forgive we show that we do not love Jesus because if we love him we will obey his commands. And his command is to forgive all.


Jesus Suffered On the Cross


Jesus on the cross suffered for your sins and he forgave you, he offered you this forgiveness and when we accept it, we become Christians. Jesus the Son of God on the cross was mocked, ridiculed and given a sponge with vinegar that some argue was used for cleaning in the washroom of Romans. If anyone had the right to be unforgiving, vengeful, angry and seek justice it would have been Jesus. But what is the reaction, he says “Forgive them.”

He says to God the Father please do not hold these things against those who have hurt me so much. Please not only that please put their punishment on me so that they can be set free. We can share in the heart of Jesus that through our pains and hurts we can be able to help set others free through bearing the hurt with the love of Jesus Christ. Does this excuse sin? No, but it does allow healing and help for those who sin and we become more like the character of God towards others. In the light of sins against Jesus Christ, the sins others do to us are very little.

The teaching of Jesus even goes further that if we do not release and forgive others, God will not forgive our sins or hold some of them against us. Lord, help me to forgive and fully release others as we all stand by your grace. Amen.

 

[Chopper]

Hello my new bearded friend Greg. We are called "The Brotherhood Of The Bush" I'm letting mine grow out. I'm not sure if my wife will let me grow it as long as yours though. At one time, a few years ago, my beard was almost as long as yours.

You have presented a wonderful thread here on forgiveness. I do hope that many of our members read it and take it to heart. You have injected some wonderful psychology into your theme. You said....

When we do not release others we end up not releasing ourselves. Even physical ailments can be a result of this pent up hurt and unforgiveness that manifests itself in bitterness, envy, resentment and even anger.

Your quote is so true. Many times I have counseled a few women on this very issue of physical trials because of forgiveness. As a Psychologist myself, I've had to practice what I teach, which can be difficult when the hurt goes deep.

This is what I wish all women could learn and practice. Women, as a rule, don't forget the hurt. They will say, "I forgive you" but they remember the offense and bring it up again in a confrontation. That tells me that they have not forgiven. I try and teach that we have to forgive the way that God forgives. After all, He's our example....Isaiah 43:25 "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins."

That's the secret. Our Heavenly Father will not "remember" our sins which means once forgiven, He will not bring up again the sin to judge us or to get even in an argument, like many women do. I'm sorry ladies, I'm speaking from experience, I hope your different.

Well, I hope you don't mind my little addition Greg. This topic of yours is sooo important today in this easy believism Christian society we find ourselves in, and it's tragic.

 

[Greg Gordon]

Great comments and especially the scripture verse brother.

 

[GodsGrace]

I love the image.
Will be saving it to a file.
Will comment later on.