FORGIVE!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2021.

SUBJECT : FORGIVE!

Memory verse: "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4 vs 32).

READ: Matthew 6 vs 12, 14 - 15; 18 vs 21 - 22: 

6:12: And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

6:14: For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

6:15: But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. 

18:21: Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

18:22: Jesus said unto him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

INTIMATION:

To forgive is to show mercy or compassion, or give a pardon or give up. Forgiveness is a full pardon from an offensive act that has been committed against you. It is a fresh start. It is another chance. It is the canceling of a debt. It is a new beginning. There is no new beginning in your life without an ending to an offense, and there is no ending to your problem without a new beginning through forgiveness. Forgiveness is an elixir, it is a supernatural power that breaks the chains of bitterness, bringing joy that is unspeakable and full of glory!

Forgiveness is not weakness, but a great strength. It takes great strength to forgive. It's the first step toward true happiness, hope, and healing. It heals you from the band of resentment and the hand-cuffs of hatred, and sets you free from spiritual and emotional problem you are in.

The way out of the problem can be found in the simple mandate given to us by our LORD Jesus Christ: "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." (Matthew 6 vs 12.) Jesus our Messiah, established this model of prayer called the "LORD's prayer," and within it are several supernatural principles: among them is the life-changing application of forgiveness.  The statement "Forgive us as we forgive those....." holds the golden key for many people who want to take a shortcut out of their problems. It is a huge step out of the problem and into the provision of God.

It's noteworthy that forgiveness is not for the benefit of the person who hurt you, who betrayed you, who lied about you, or who rejected you when you needed them most. FORGIVENESSES IS FOR YOUR BENEFIT! Please remember clearly, God cannot forgive you if you will not forgive another. Jesus said, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 6 vs 14 - 15).

Forgiveness is not an option for the believer, rather it is a way of life. A writer, Charles R. Swindoll, in his book, "Improving Your Serve!" described forgiveness perfectly this way, "Forgiveness is not an elective in the curriculum of servanthood. It is a required course, and the examinations are always tough to pass." Even though the exam is tough, the Word of God gives us the necessary study notes to pass the test. If God is perfect, and He forgave you, why can't you, with all your faults and failures, forgive others? 

The unforgiven spirit is a weapon of control over people, used by the devil to manipulate them. Unforgiveness is a form of bondage that thrives on hate and resentment. It is the sin of witchcraft! It makes you share your bitterness with all who will listen to you, thereby taking your sin to another level—the level of spreading your virus of hatred into the lifeblood of friends and family, killing relationships, separating chief friends, and removing all possibilities of reconciliation. 

Your toxic tongue will extend your stay in the problem indefinitely and will ultimately earn you ruin, no matter the amount of prayers you offer or religious rituals; night vigils, church attendance, offerings, sacrifices, you engage yourself in. God personally guarantees that you will live in torment until you forgive (see Matthew 18 vs 35.)

Jesus told the story of the unforgiving slave in Matthew 18 vs 23 - 34. The king called in his servant who owed him ten thousand talents (equivalent of ten million dollars today) and ordered him to pay his debt immediately. The servant said, "I don't have ten million dollars (ten thousand talents). The amount of the debt indicated that it was near impossible to be paid by the servant. The king ordered him sold, along with his wife and children and all he possessed. The servant fell on his feet, begged for mercy, and pledged to pay back everything he owed. The king showed him mercy and forgave the servant of his debt and released him a free man. 

After receiving this immeasurable amount of forgiveness from the king, the servant immediately went to the city gates and found a fellow servant who owed him hundred denarii (equivalent of twenty dollars) and demanded immediate payment. When his friend couldn't pay, he had him thrown into debtor's prison. The fellow servants who witnessed this merciless act sent a message to the king, the king called the unforgiving servant before him and said, "You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on you fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?" And the king, moved with anger, handed him over to the tormentors until he has repaid all that he owed him.

Now think about it, the servants are both in prison. A minor act of forgiveness would have set both men free forever, but no forgiveness was extended, and both men spent their lives in torment. Forgiveness can transform lives, but lack of it will wound and forever destroy. Medical research proves that resentment and bitterness cause heart trouble, ulcers, high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks, and even cancer. These are tormentors! Release the people you have inprisoned emotionally, and held hostage because of a past offense that you refused to forgive. Remember forgiveness burns the bridge that you must one day cross yourself.

Prayer: Abba Father, You are forever merciful! Endue me with the spirit of love, mercy and forgiveness, that I may love, show mercy, and forgiving another to earn Your approval for same, in Jesus’ mighty Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!