Forgiveness
Throughout His ministry, Jesus declared a fact in different ways. He spoke of our forgiving others as it being linked to God’s forgiving us. For me, at first glance, this feels harsh and unlike a loving God. If I do not or can not forgive others, God will not forgive me? I believe the key to understanding this is to accept that unforgiveness is SIN. So, in essence, to refuse to forgive is to be without repentance in this area of life. I am trying to make this clear without implying forgiveness is simple. No part of real forgiveness is simple because it is seldom easy to admit our way is wrong and even harder to let God change our way.
Please consider the following verses in this light:
"If you forgive those who sin against you, your Heavenly Father will forgive you. Matthew 6:14 NLT (A Life of Repentance)
But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6:15 NLT (A Life Without Repentance)
"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." 1 John 1:9 NLT
Many times, we fail to realize that to live in unforgiveness is to live in rebellion against God’s will. Each of us, at some time and in some way, have struggled with forgiveness. Forgiving others, ourselves, and even God– these can be some of the toughest experiences in this life. “Forgiving God” does not mean that He has really done any wrong, but rather that we have held Him accountable for a perceived wrong.
Remember, forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling.
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