Forgiveness...Is the intentional and voluntary process by which a victim undergoes a change in feelings and attitude regarding an offense, lets go of negative emotions such as vengefulness, with an increased ability to wish the offender well.
That is the definition of forgiveness given by Wikipedia, the problem with that though, is the society we live in today does not believe in forgiveness. Society today believes in blaming someone or everyone for everything. Someone has to be held accountable, someone has to be punished, someone has to crucified by the media. And yes, people do need to be held accountable for their actions, their decisions, their transgressions, but then, as God states many times, they need to be forgiven.
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 6:14-15
I realize, and am guilty of myself, that forgiveness is not an easy thing to do at times, in certain situations, but during those times that you are having trouble forgiving someone, remember that God has forgiven you for all your past indiscretions, all your past transgressions, all you past sins. None of us were born saints, we were all born sinners, and their may be one or two that have led a sinless life, and made no bad choices, but they were still born sinners; and we all, myself included, need to thank God for forgiving us of our sins, our mistakes, our poor decisions.
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven my forgive you your sins.
Mark 11:25
It is human nature to get upset when someone hurts us, lies to us, deceives us, does anything bad against us, and this is only natural. However, those same emotions will begin to eat away at you, fester inside you, destroy you from the inside out, if you allow them to. For the most part, people do not get up in the morning with the intention of hurting you on purpose, causing you pain and sorrow; but you have to remember, they are human as well. They are not perfect, they have flaws, they make poor decisions, they make mistakes, we all do. God knows this; God knows each of us better than we know ourselves, and He tells us time and time again, forgive each other as I have forgiven you.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.
Ephesians 1:7
Jesus Christ was crucified for your sins, my sins, the worlds sins. He was sinless yet he was beaten, ridiculed, tortured and nailed to a cross to die, so that you and I may be forgiven. Think about that for a minute. God knew the only way to save his people was to sacrifice his one and only begotten Son. You weren't born yet, I wasn't born yet, but God knew that to save you, to save me, His Son would have to die.
The next time someone wrongs you, rubs you the wrong way, hurts you; think about what God has already given up for you, given up for that person who hurt you. We will all struggle with forgiving others when we are wronged, but in the end, we each have to remember, we have been forgiven, and we need to forgive others. Remember some of the final words Jesus spoke before he died.
"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Luke 23:34
As I speak a blessing over each of you this morning, always remember, I am here for you if you ever need to talk or get something off your chest or if you need prayer for yourselves, your family or your friends. Please do not hesitate to contact me.
May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Dear Father God, thank you for blessing us with this day and loving us as Your children. Watch over each and every one of us as we start each day, as we go through this week, keeping us in the palm of Your hand. Guide us in our daily lives, directing us on the path You have planned for us, bringing forth the dreams you have planted in each of our hearts. For we know who we are and whose we are, children of the most high God. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
"Keep your Faith strong, your Hope alive and your Prayers never ending."
God Bless
Pastor Mark
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