Forgive (from the heart)

Good morning dear friends

May God help us to forgive wholeheartedly, not for a religious observation but from the heart.

Matthew 18:33 - 35

33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave [who owed you little by comparison], as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in wrath his master turned him over to the torturers (jailers) until he paid all that he owed. 35 My heavenly Father will also do the same to [every one of] you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart

Please read all of Matthew 18

It is possible many of us are experiencing torment of some kind, sleepless nights, mental disturbance and more, because we have not forgiven from the heart.

How quickly we forgive is a true test of Spiritual Maturity, how we've grown in Christ, because we truly LET (it - the offense) GO and WE LET GOD.

Even as I released that message last Sunday about forgiveness. I am now being tested in that area. That is how it works - The message tests the messenger FIRST. It keeps us humble.

I am telling you for many of the injustices we suffer, it really takes great grace to forgive.

Even as that stumbling block came my way of some things being done to stir anger in me, I really had to restraint myself and do exactly what God wanted me to do. I didn't bury it, but sent a message via WhatsApp in an attempt to bring resolution. They explained their side and apologised.

We must always be willing to listen and show understanding. We can never know what causes another's choices only God knows.

Dear friends as I went into God's presence what really made me let the offense go was two things.

1 We must forgive because we cannot in anyway be out of the place of abiding, we must forgive and show mercy (instead of judgement) because that is really what God pours out to us daily - undeserved mercy grace and forgiveness. Thank you Father for giving us the grace to forgive

2 We ourselves are not perfect and must consider how God sees the other person, who is in Christ. God sees us all at the finished line. I kept listening to God and heard him say the one who caused me pain will soon be ministering effectively for me my daughter. This gave me Joy as the discomfort I now bear is working for God's glory and a greater good.

In any close relationship we find ourselves in we will be a bit uncomfortable at times. There will be differences, conflict and hurt sometimes. A good relationship is one where two people (friends, spouses, children, parents any) choose to forgive the unforgivable. To stick it out together and to work it out for the sake of Christ.

I pray God will give us the grace to do so today.

FORGIVE FORGIVE FORGIVE!

Give us forgiving hearts good Father.

Remember after we are hurt it can move in being offended. The Greek word for Offence is Scandalon and it is comparative to the cheese that is left as the bait for the mice....a trap from the enemy when we keep offences.

A good book to read on the subject is The bait of Satan by John Bevere

But I leave you with these few verses

Love keeps no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13)

Love covers the multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8)

Forgive your brother 70 x 7 (Matthew 18:21/22)

As you give it shall be returned to you good measure pressed down shaken together and running over. (Luke 6:38)

Lord empower us to pour out love, pour out mercy, may we be instruments of your forgiveness grace and mercy at all times.

We need that special grace from you Lord in Jesus name

Amen

Now this is so important - the other side of woundedness is when we are hurt the pain and hurt doesn't go away just so.

Forgiveness is a different process from healing

Don't bury issues, because they will take root in our hearts and playback in our relationships and everday living.

God will heal us as we forgive, let go and let God.

I pray today that as we forgive, healing will come from every hurt, pain and wound in Jesus name

Amen

Walk good in Christ

Till we meet again

Pastor J