“Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
And in Matthew 18:21-22, Jesus qualifies the concept of forgiveness when He calls us to forgive beyond our own ability…
“Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.”
We honestly can’t forgive like that! Not every time nor for everything. We can only forgive so completely when we are walking in the Spirit.
We’ve all been hurt or betrayed. Some much more than others. But the question is – When you look back on what you have been through…when you look back on those who have caused you pain, do you forgive them?
Forgiveness doesn’t mean you are always able to restore your relationship; it doesn’t mean you have to continue to trust those who have proven to be untrustworthy.
It’s a sacrificial thing, but there’s power in that sacrifice. Power to set you free from the bondage of bitterness. Power to free you from the grip of unforgiveness. Power to live unencumbered and intentionally for eternity.
When you won’t forgive, you impede your own progress in your journey to an intentional eternity. You become ineffective and counterproductive in the cause of Christ.
How can you touch others with the forgiveness of God when you won’t forgive? How can others see the love of Jesus in your heart when you’ve allowed your unforgiveness to become bitterness and your bitterness to become anger?
Today, I pray, you remove the clouds of unforgiveness and clearly see that you are holding holding yourself hostage when you choose not to forgive. And you can never make your eternity intentional until you do.
I pray you will forgive today, sweet friend! You’ll have an eternity to be glad you did!