Forgiveness. A word that can be easy to say but not act upon. Forgiving someone who has wronged us and hurt us deeply can be almost impossible. Forgiving ourselves for some past transgression can be very difficult. But forgiveness, at least in the way that Christ offers it to us, is something we all want and must have. Admitting we are sinners, Believing that Jesus is who He says He is, and Confessing that outwardly are the first steps in the process of becoming Born Again. When we Come Home to Jesus, we are, in essence, stating we believe that He died for our sins and is the One who can offer us forgiveness for them.
Certain dates and seasons during the calendar year can roll around and remind us of tragic events-- unwanted outcomes, and dreams that are now crushed and forgotten. At this time of year, I am always reminded of a particular situation that has propelled me here and changed the course of my life forever. Although I look back at that season as a time of transformation, I am also reminded of the shipwreck of actions that redirected me. Dreams that were lost. Plans that were scrapped. A house forgotten and a marriage left in ruins.
But, Oh the Grace! I found a Love that I did not know that I already had. I found a Merciful Savior who had always felt that way towards me. I experienced Forgiveness like I had never known before, and because of that, I could forgive others for the wrongs committed towards me. Because I had been Forgiven, I was now free to forgive others. And I needed to, or the rest of my life could be spent in bitterness. But as the Love of the Father rushed in and washed over me, I found it easier to extend that same love and forgiveness to others who had hurt me at that time.
After speaking to His disciples about prayer and giving them the example of what we commonly refer to as The Lord’s Prayer, Jesus spoke these words: “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:13-15 (NLT). With that in mind, sounds like it’s pretty important to forgive others for their sins against us. And what Peace we can have when we forgive in this way. The Peace of the Father and the Peace of knowing that our sins are forgiven.
At that time, I was learning about God what He really was like. I had friends praying for me, not knowing the full extent of what I was going through. I was waking up to the Love that I needed, but was not aware that I already had. I found the Ocean of His Grace and Mercy and plunged in. As my heart was changed, I was able to forgive the unforgivable in others and found Rest in the Loving Arms of the Father.
I look back on that time as an awesome growing experience and because of the course correction provided, I have tried to walk in forgiveness ever since. Sure there are moments when I wish to withhold it. Times when I want to see the ones who wrong me- or I perceive have wronged me- dangle a little bit. But deep in my heart, I know that this is not the way. My Joy and Peace are disrupted and I cannot function as a true Follower of Christ should. So I have to come back to the point when I release the offender from my own justice and allow for God to step in and wash my heart with forgiveness so that I can extend Grace to the ones who have wronged me. Love and Forgiveness walk hand in hand and my life is better because of that.
Certain dates and seasons during the calendar year can roll around and remind us of tragic events-- unwanted outcomes, and dreams that are now crushed and forgotten. At this time of year, I am always reminded of a particular situation that has propelled me here and changed the course of my life forever. Although I look back at that season as a time of transformation, I am also reminded of the shipwreck of actions that redirected me. Dreams that were lost. Plans that were scrapped. A house forgotten and a marriage left in ruins.
But, Oh the Grace! I found a Love that I did not know that I already had. I found a Merciful Savior who had always felt that way towards me. I experienced Forgiveness like I had never known before, and because of that, I could forgive others for the wrongs committed towards me. Because I had been Forgiven, I was now free to forgive others. And I needed to, or the rest of my life could be spent in bitterness. But as the Love of the Father rushed in and washed over me, I found it easier to extend that same love and forgiveness to others who had hurt me at that time.
After speaking to His disciples about prayer and giving them the example of what we commonly refer to as The Lord’s Prayer, Jesus spoke these words: “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:13-15 (NLT). With that in mind, sounds like it’s pretty important to forgive others for their sins against us. And what Peace we can have when we forgive in this way. The Peace of the Father and the Peace of knowing that our sins are forgiven.
At that time, I was learning about God what He really was like. I had friends praying for me, not knowing the full extent of what I was going through. I was waking up to the Love that I needed, but was not aware that I already had. I found the Ocean of His Grace and Mercy and plunged in. As my heart was changed, I was able to forgive the unforgivable in others and found Rest in the Loving Arms of the Father.
I look back on that time as an awesome growing experience and because of the course correction provided, I have tried to walk in forgiveness ever since. Sure there are moments when I wish to withhold it. Times when I want to see the ones who wrong me- or I perceive have wronged me- dangle a little bit. But deep in my heart, I know that this is not the way. My Joy and Peace are disrupted and I cannot function as a true Follower of Christ should. So I have to come back to the point when I release the offender from my own justice and allow for God to step in and wash my heart with forgiveness so that I can extend Grace to the ones who have wronged me. Love and Forgiveness walk hand in hand and my life is better because of that.
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