I AM FORGIVEN & FREE TO FORGIVE
Suppose you committed a crime and were found guilty by the court system. As a guilty person, you should be punished according to the crime. Think about standing before a judge and the judge begins to sentence you for the crime you committed and all of a sudden, another lawyer, with a reputation of never losing a case, comes into the courtroom and gives the judge a pardon from the President of the United States. The judge looks at the document, recognizes the seal and signature of the president, and pronounces to you, “You are free to go and are absolved from the crime you committed.”
That is exactly what Jesus did for you in forgiving you. He has forgiven you and you are free to forgive others. He has pardoned you in spite of your slights, shortcomings and errors. What an amazing God we serve. Consider some of these truths about forgiveness:
No religious book except the Bible teaches that God completely forgives sin.
You will only find the truth about forgiveness in the Bible. No other book or religion offers this to you. Forgiveness is God’s amazing gift that He has given to you. Only God, through Jesus Christ, is the author and originator of forgiveness.
- Dan 9:8-10 To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him. NKJV
- Acts 5:30-32 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” NKJV
To forgive, you must receive forgiveness. You can’t give what you don’t have.
God helps you to forgive others by forgiving you. He is our example to follow when we have to forgive others. You will have many opportunities to forgive others in a day. You are able to forgive because you have been forgiven.
- “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NKJV
If you need help in forgiving others, change your attitude to possess the attitude of Christ.
There are certain qualities you must have to be able to forgive others. Take on the attitude that was in Christ Jesus when He was on the cross and called on His Father to forgive those who hurt Him.
- Col 3:12-14 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. NKJV
- The qualities that you need to forgive others are; tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering and love. Love is the force that operates in you to bear up under anything. These qualities are in you when you invite Jesus to be Lord of your life.
Forgiveness frees you and causes your prayers to be effective and powerful.
If you are not a person inclined to forgive others, then you are holding a grudge, acting/being? hateful and will eventually become bitter. All these things will destroy you from the inside out. To keep yourself free from pollution and junk, forgive others.
- Mark 11:25-26 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” NKJV
- If you hold unforgiveness in your heart, you will feel unfulfilled in life. Not forgiving others will hinder your prayers and prevent God from forgiving you. Receiving forgiveness from God makes you free to forgive others. Take a moment right now to clear your heart and forgive anyone who has hurt you, harmed you or mistreated you. Ask God to forgive you also and ask Him to help you forgive others and you will experience His freedom.
