Today we can rejoice because we are forgiven! The precious blood of the Lamb has forever purchased forgiveness from the sin that destined us to hell and separated us from the Father. Every day when we approach the Lord in prayer, we must first repent of disobedience and sin, apply the blood of Jesus and receive forgiveness and cleansing. We should rehearse 1 John 1:9 daily approach the throne of Grace properly, according to the Word.
Equally as important as repentance and receiving forgiveness is our obedience to Jesus' instructions to FORGIVE OTHERS. In Matthew 6:12, Jesus is explaining how to pray. He says we are to ask the Father to "forgive us our sins, AS WE FORGIVE WHOSE WHO HAVE SINNED AGAINST US." Again in Mark 11:25, He is teaching on prayer and our faith in Him. Then He gives this command. "And whenever you stand praying, FORGIVE, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your transgressions." So every time we pray, we are to forgive. Learn to forgive freely!
Sometimes we are so wounded, so betrayed, so violated, so unjustly hurt that we must learn to forgive BY FAITH, in obedience to the Lord, even though we do not feel like it. As you forgive, as an act of your will, the healing balm of the Lord will heal your heart and take the sting out of the pain. He makes all things new. Holding on to unforgiveness hurts only you. It dwarfs your walk of faith, limits the effectiveness of your praying and hijacks your joy. Unforgiveness, when harbored, will eventually turn into a root of bitterness that will make you miserable defile those around you.
Peter asks Jesus in Matt 18:21 how many times should we forgive a person if they wrong us.......like up to seven times? That was as much as Peter's natural thinking could imagine! Jesus responds, "No, seventy times seven!" Read the rest of the chapter about the man who was forgiven much, but then did not forgive the one who owed him. Sobering. Oh that we would not be found among those who REFUSE to forgive. We have been forgiven much! We have been given so much grace! Think about God's mercy to us! We must daily, intentionally, forgive all who have offended and hurt us. And remember the last three important words....IN YOUR HEART.
Make up your mind every morning to be a person who cannot be offended. Release resentment, bitterness and self-pity to God every day. And from this day forward, when you pray, intentionally forgive all, whether they deserve it or not. Ask the Lord to bless and help them. You will forever stay free of the shackles of unforgiveness. When you stand praying, FORGIVE!!!!!!!
Scriptures for Memory: Matt 6:12; Matt 18:21; Mark 11:25; Ephesians 4:32
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