And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Colossians 2:13-15

God sent His Son to die on a cross for our sins.  When we accept this gift, we walk in total forgiveness for our sins, our debts, our transgressions.  What do we do when someone hurts us? What do we do when someone trespasses against us?  God told us to forgive them. He told us to forgive our enemies.

If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:21-32

In Truth, if we choose not to forgive, we are walking in disobedience toward God and out of this disobedience He will in turn not offer His forgiveness toward us. That is pretty serious business. Fortunately, He in His mercy and love says that we CAN forgive thru the power of His Son Jesus Christ. For each and every hurt, bitterness, resentment, fear, and betrayal, there is hope for us to forgive them all thru the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ! Praise Him that He has made a way of deliverance from the thorns of unforgiveness. Jesus is the Way.

If there is someone who you need to forgive, whether you “think” they “deserve it” or not, it is God’s desire, His instruction, that we forgive. His wisdom never fails. He understands the damage done to our own souls, our lives, when we fail to forgive others. May we all  trust Him to teach us His ways, His mercy, His grace, His forgiveness. I know that it is hard to forgive people who have really hurt us.  I know it screams at logic to forgive murderers, rapists, sexual predators, thieves, molesters, so on and so forth.  For those who have struggled to live moral lives I know it seems unfair that those who have cared little for mankind should be forgiven.  Can you imagine if Jesus had felt the same way?

It is sobering to be sure to grasp that God has no respect of persons, that ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  Society/humanity has set it’s own peculiar standard on what is right, what is wrong, how to punish, how to be “better” than others. We must not forget that OUR way is not HIS WAY!  Do we really want to walk after Jesus and learn from His merciful heart towards us?  Towards all of us?   God’s heart is that all will  be saved thru the same acceptance of Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

If Jesus came to save the world, then who are we to condemn it? I am not in ANY fashion saying that we are not to hate the sin just as God hates sin our own included… And yet we are called as believers and followers to forgive, pray, and live as examples of His righteousness and mercy and grace no matter WHAT.  Father, you know how desperately we need your help on this matter.  Please, have mercy on us as we submit to your will.  In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen. Michelle

Then came peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and childre, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on they fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. Matthew 18:21-35