The Battle of Unforgiveness by Minister Owen Mitchell

Inspiration

The Battle of Unforgiveness

For the past week forgiveness has been a major subject in many conversations I have had. I have been thinking about the seriousness of this command, the truth surrounding it and its rewards; ‘and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,” St Matthew 6:12. This is apart of the Lord’s teaching on how to pray. God forgiving us is conditional to our forgiving others. This establishes a direct relationship which offers us divine forgiveness.

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they do, ….”, Luke 23:34. In this scripture Jesus emphasizes the necessity of forgiving, even the very people that are trying to harm us. He showed that love is able to overcome every evil sent our way. In Acts 7:59, Stephen was stoned while calling upon God. But, after kneeling down he cried saying, “…. Lord lay not this sin to their charge. ….”, verse 60.

The story of Joseph being sold by his brothers into slavery is an awesome story on forgiveness. The success of it was evident in Genesis 50:20-21, “but as for you, ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good, …. Now therefore fear ye not, I will nourish you, and your little ones.”

The evidence of forgiveness can be seen throughout the Bible. In the Greek forgiveness, means the cancelling of one’s debt; their balance is zero. It signifies the releasing of a captive or an offender. It is a choice an individual makes to show God’s mercy through our obedience to this command. In Matthew 18:21-22, Peter asked the Lord, “how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seventy times? Jesus saith unto him, …. Until seventy times seven.”

Are you battling with unforgiveness? Give it to God, He will see you through.

God Bless.