FORGIVENESS
by Cindy Black
Aloha!
“Forgiveness is unlocking the door to set someone free and realizing you were the prisoner.” Lewis B. Smedes
One of the hardest things to do in life is “FORGIVE.” It’s a very important part of our Christian walk.
God doesn’t ask, He clearly tells us to forgive. If you’re alive long enough, someone will need your forgiveness or you theirs. We also need to forgive ourselves.
Matthew 6:14,15 “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
“Forgiveness,” was the message at one of the best and most memorable Valentine’s Banquets I’ve ever been to. We are all imperfect humans who mess up sometimes. Any healthy relationship includes forgiveness. If you hold grievances against another, you yourself will become hard and bitter. It not only affects you, but all those around you.
It’s easy to be critical and judgmental of others when they don’t line up to your standards. We don’t have that option. Having a Christ like attitude means we are KIND, TENDER, and FORGIVING in our hearts towards others.
Ephesians 4:31-32 “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.
Jesus is the perfect example in forgiveness. He was beaten, whipped, spit on, falsely accused, and crucified. Yet, at the end of his earthly life, He prayed for us all, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
Luke 23:24 Matthew 18:21, 21 “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Walk in forgiveness daily. Forgive yourself and others. Remember God loves you!
SONG: Matthew West, “Forgiveness” https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Story behind the song, “Forgiveness” https://www.youtube.com/watch?
PICTURE: Red Throated, Pink Hibiscus
Mahalo,
“TIMES OF REFRESHING” Garden Bible Study in Hawaii
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