Everyone desires to be forgiven by God, but only few people desire for themselves to freely forgive those that have hurt them. Do you see an issue here? Isn’t this a little hypocritical of people to act this way. So let me get this right, people think that they can hold grudges and build up walls against certain people but still expect forgiveness from God? If you are reading the Bible, then you would know that this is not the life of a Christian. Even more important to note is that those that do not forgive, will also not be forgiven from God. This is not me speaking but the Lord God Himself. Now, let us read what Jesus said specifically, before calling me out on this. He said, 1“for if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” This cannot be more clear. If we desire to be forgiven, then forgive others also. No forgiveness and mercy is given to somebody if they are not dealing out the same forgiveness to others. Now, please think about this. Allow Jesus’s words to kick in and convict you of your sins. You are not right with God and do not have God’s forgiveness for things you’ve done, if you are not able to forgive people. This means that you are not saved and will not go to heaven lest you repent. It is sad that the lack of forgiveness in this world will be the deterring factor of who goes to heaven and who goes to hell. Don’t let this issue of forgiveness kill your chance at salvation.
Surely, when God speaks, we ought to pay attention. His counsel is much wiser than our own and is the only way we will be on the right path. Otherwise, we will only be wise in our own eyes and not God. This will lead us on the path of darkness and our souls will be left in jeopardy. Surely, a person that is humble will forsake everything for God. This means forgiving every person that has hurt them. This person will put their trust in God and understand that walls and grudges are of Satan and not God. It is not good to put up walls of any kind. This not only puts strains on relationships but hurts the offending person as well. Both are affected when grudges are in place. It is so much better just to forgive one another and to show others mercy as God does in our lives also. The same love and care that God has given you, after all wicked and vile things you’ve committed, you ought to entreat others the same way. Please understand that you have also done things that you wish you had never done. So, be the one to tell people sorry and I forgive you. This takes a lot but it also takes a lot of weight off of our shoulders. Surely, forgiveness is the best thing we can ever ask for in life, not only from God and others but from us towards others. And now that God is in my life, I forgive everyone, for God has done the same for me. How could I hold a grudge against someone when there are no grudges from God.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that people’s hearts will be softened and that they will see a need to truly love their neighbor as themselves and drop every grudge and wall in their lives. I know that this is holding them back from Your forgiveness and mercy. May they not lose out on following You to salvation. So many people have already made up their minds on who they will forgive and who they will not. They have the unforgiven in the back of their minds and their walls are up high. This wall, unfortunately, is blocking themselves from You, Lord. I know this, since I did this same thing for my step dad for many years. I always wondered if I was truly forgiven and then it occurred to me that I had never forgiven my step dad for beating me when I was a kid. These thoughts never left my mind and there was always so much hate and bitterness in my heart for that man. However, their came a day when I saw him in church. And I don’t know exactly what came over me but forgiveness rushed through me and I ran to him, in order to give him a hug. Tears flowed down my face and the words came out, I forgive you. I love you. It was then, Lord that Your love took over in my life. I was set free from all the grudges and walls that I had put up. All the bitterness was swept away and Your love entered into my life like a wild fire. Thank You Lord. I am so grateful for Your mercy. Thank You for Your forgiveness. I now know that everyone needs forgiveness, not only from You but by me. This I know because You have spoken it. I love You Lord, even enough to forgive myself and others. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Matthew 6:1-15 (KJV)
1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
