Let’s be honest, sometimes it’s hard to forgive someone who has hurt or sinned against you. It’s in our nature to get lost in our wounds in these situations and hold the violator accountable until that hurt fades away and we can move on. The problem is, the hurt doesn’t go away permanently without forgiveness, and with the pain always viable; there’s no way we can move on. With a lack of forgiveness in our lives towards the one who hurt us, we suddenly begin a process of our heart becoming bitter and hard. We’ll soon find that this side effect starts to bleed into other areas of our lives.
How we treat people. How we respond to struggles in our life. How we view the world. How we serve others. How we love our families.
Being unable to show forgiveness to others can seriously derail our passion for the life God has given us, and sabotage our desire to be used by Him. We become bitter and worn-out…shells of our true selves. And worse, God makes it clear in scripture, that if we don’t forgive others their sins towards us; then he won’t forgive OUR sins towards Him.
Yes, you read that right.
Forgiving others is a prerequisite for our own forgiveness from the Lord.
“If you forgive people when they sin against you, then your Father will forgive you when you sin against Him and when you sin against your neighbor. But if you do not forgive your neighbors’ sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
--Matthew 6:14-15 (VOICE)
The truth is, God will always be willing to forgive us for our sins. He proved that by everything Jesus did on the cross; before, during, and after. He also knows the dark roads we can travel in life when we refuse to forgive, so it makes since that He takes this element of our lives so seriously.
You know what it’s like to not be forgiven by someone you care about…it’s awful. Now imagine your sins not being forgiven by the one who created you. By the one who loves you more than anyone else and is always there for you. That’s not only awful, that’s crushing. But it’s not like we don’t have a choice in it. Gods not asking us to do what He hasn’t already done himself; and remember, forgiveness is healing. Not just for the one we’re giving it too, but for us as well.
I’m not saying it will be easy…but I do promise you this…the more you practice forgiveness towards others; the happier and more purposed you will feel. Forgiveness takes weight off our shoulders and breaks the bonds of labels that say we’re defined by whatever hurt was inflicted upon us.
We can experience forgiveness in all its beauty; all God asks is that we forgive others first.
Are you ready?
