Studying God’s Word ping
Forgiveness cannot be looked at in isolation. There is repentance, consequences and other things involved in the sin.
We All are briefly on this Pilgrimage through a dry and thirsty land Seeking
Living Waters. Extend your Cup that overflows to your struggling brothers.
If the Father forgave them, they would all be going to heaven, right ? Is that what you believe?
“If you have anything against anyone, forgive them”
...it pretty much includes everything and everyone and leaves no room for exceptions.
Who is the one who is imprisoned and tortured in Matthew 18, but the one who did not forgive?
Those who wronged us have moved on, not even thinking about their harm and destruction. It is us who toil over the transgression. We, in unforgiveness imprison ourselves and torture ourselves until we forgive. We do this to ourselves. It is the sentence imposed upon us through our own choice, until we choose to forgive. We chose that result. However! When we forgive, we are released from our own prison and torture.
It has been said that unforgiveness is like drinking poison, hoping the other person dies.
What is forgiveness?
The best definition I’ve heard;
“Forgiveness is releasing someone from the debt, or obligation they owe you when they harmed you.”
Yeah, but who will pay the price for the harm against me?
I will.
It is ALWAYS the one who is harmed that pays the price to reconcile the relationship.
Look at the cross.
We sinned against God.
He and He alone could only pay the price for what I’ve done against Him.
He, innocent and harmed, paid the ultimate price to restore our relationship with Him.
He is our example in this matter.
Just “...as God in Christ Jesus forgave you.”
Bitterness, wrath and malice must be replaced with kindness and tenderheartedness. This is the work part assigned to us This is the answer to; “yeah but how do I DO that?” Recognize that you too need forgiveness, see them in that light and show love, kindness and tenderheartedness. Love is not a feeling, it is work (hard work) and humility. Release them from their debt and obligation to you when they harmed you.
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” EPH 4:30-32
...not directed at you personally metmom