Replies

Wonderful post. Thanks.

I tend to counsel people that FORGIVENESS IS FIRST AND FOREMOST A CHOICE.

And, that it is essential for our emotional, psychological and spiritual health and welfare as well as regarding eternal life.

That we must CHOOSE moment by moment at every thought to TAKE EACH THOUGHT CAPTIVE; TO RESIST THE ENEMY and to CHOOSE TO FORGIVE again at that moment.

And, of course, as you note, to ask God to change our hearts and make it real in our hearts and emotions etc.

But I think--by The Spirit's grace, it must begin with our will--choosing to release the other person to God's mercies and disciplines according to God's priorities and perfect judgment.

There is a lot of anecdotal evidence that somehow God is more freed to deal with the other person when we bow out of our judgment high horse and allow the other person to be somehow more fully on God's altar or at least more face to face with God because we have quit encasing them in our resentment, judgment, bitterness, unforgiveness etc.

Also, that forgiveness is first and foremost for us. The unforgiven person may not care a flip about how we feel toward them. But God does and it poisons our bodies and our souls.

Thanks much.

BTW, you may be interested in this fascinating phenomena described in this post/thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/1356926/posts?page=8

Thank you Quix on your kind words. I believe you summed it up very well when you say "Also, that forgiveness is first and foremost for us." Forgivness and mercy makes us free. It is the ultimate realization that we are not the judge.