Hi Friends,
Happy Saturday if you’re reading on posting day or Happy *insert day of the week here* if it’s later on. I am so happy to speak to you about something that actually is an incredibly important topic, forgiveness. SO many people walk around thinking they’ve forgiven people or are so bitter they refuse to forgive. Not forgiving people could affect even your health!
Matthew 18:23-35 is the parable that Jesus speaks of in terms of forgiveness. We see three things: Forgiveness and mercy, a lack of forgiveness and mercy, and the consequence of not acting with forgiveness and mercy. A king forgives his servant of his debt, the servant did not forgive someone else who owed him, the king found out his servant that he so graciously forgave did not extend that same kindness to another and put him in prison for it too AND he then had to pay his debt.
Consequences of No Forgiveness
If you ever want to live a sober minded life you need to live a life of forgiving others. When you fail to do such a thing it truly only hurts you.
Hebrews 12:14-15 NLT says, “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.”
Bitterness is defined as anger and disappointment at being treated unfairly; resentment. I would easily say that this is a major consequence to not forgiving people. When you hold on to an offense it can take root on the inside if you don’t take it to the Lord and choose to let it go. Even in verse 15 you see that bitterness troubles YOU and corrupts others. It’s a type of defilement if you read it in other translations. Why would you want to live like this when you can live forgiving others as you have been forgiven too?
The Golden Rule
We have all probably heard this at least once in our lives – “Treat others as you’d want to be treated!” I think sometimes people forget that the treatment they show others is not how they’d want to be treated at all and do so anyway. When we look at the parable in Matthew 18, though Jesus was telling a story, He was ultimately teaching us a valuable lesson. Who are we to not show grace and mercy when we have been given grace and mercy? In the life of a believer we have been spared from hell and that’s not a small thing whatsoever. When people know that you are saved and serve the Lord how you act and treat people are a reflection of the Lord. Not forgiving others would be like being the servant who was forgiven but didn’t forgive. You’ve been forgiven so you ought to forgive no matter how big or small the situation is.
Forgive Today, Not Later
I have seen a lot of tough situations in life and have had many opportunities to be offended, jealous, bitter, and ultimately not forgive but have always chosen to.
Once upon a time I had been hurt more than I had ever felt hurt in my entire life by someone I loved deeply. I’d say I loved them the most out of anyone in my life. They dragged my name through the mud and said things that weren’t true. I’ve had people say you have every right to hate this person and I always respond with a very quick no I could never. I even one day had gone to the person and told them I forgave them and that there’s nothing they could ever do that would make me hate them but that I would always love them, pray for them, and cheer them on in life. I didn’t just say it because it was just the right thing to do but I genuinely felt prompted by the Holy Ghost to do it, it’s the way I live my life and you can too. If anything that moment was liberating to me and I’d like to believe it was the same for them too at that time. Moments like that we reflect the heart of the Father and it really can set a person free.
I’m not saying you have to walk up to every single person you might be angry with or hurt by and say “I forgive you” because that can sometimes stir an unnecessary pot so follow the Holy Ghost. However, you in your room, car, bathroom, porch, wherever you are can pray and release anyone and everyone that’s ever hurt you.
Ephesians 4:32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
We have been given the best gift, Jesus. He came and died for our sins and we’ve been washed clean because of that. So who are we to not forgive when we’ve been forgiven?
Forgive today, not later!
Keziah-Grace Lopes
