Many times forgiveness is not taken seriously, but very lightly. People say that since the other person wronged them purposely, why should they forgive them? So years go on and still that same person who is family is not invited to family functions, but treated very unkindly when around the person he or she offended. And the sad thing is, is that many people in this state of mind end up dying without having forgiven people who have wronged them. What does this mean for their soul? It means that the Father has not forgiven them also. Jesus said, “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.” (Matthew 6:14,15) This is so true. We will never go to heaven if there is unforgiveness left in our hearts. Thankfully, we still have breath and have time to repent of our sins. That means allowing God to tear down these walls of unforgiveness and forgive others. You know exactly what to do in order to accomplish this, but allowing the Lord to lead you is what is needed. There is a story of forgiveness and mercy between two brothers that will help.
Esau hated his brother Jacob for many years of his life, even to the point of wanting to kill him because he took away his birthright. However, the time came for Esau to visit his brother, and something amazing happened. It reads, “and Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids. And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost. And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.” (Genesis 33:1-4) May this also happen in your life with a person in your family, friend, or coworker. As I got older, I saw my stepdad in church and came and hugged him, while telling him all was forgiven. He had beaten me and my brother when I was younger. For this reason, I could not forgive him until then. Praise God this happened, for a weight had been lifted off my shoulders while God has forgiven me also. Amen.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, help us to forgive others as You forgive us. So often we want Your forgiveness but are unable to do the same with others. This is so sad, for so many people are missing out on Your forgiveness in their lives. As You have said, Jesus, we cannot obtain the Father’s forgiveness if we don’t forgive one another. Thank You for this teaching. In our arrogance, we think often think that we can just move on without forgiving people. However, in doing this, we are telling You also to move along and not forgive us. I would not wish this on anyone, especially if they died in their sins. Lord, I do not wish to know of people who were once Christian, but then died without Your forgiveness because of their own unforgiveness in their hearts. This would mean waking up in hell when they die, and I am afraid that many people like this are there now. So all I ask is that people like this will be prompted by the Holy Spirit to forgive any person who has not been forgiven yet. Tear down the walls of bitterness and anger in their hearts. Give them over to peace that comes after forgiving people. There is a huge load that is lifted when this happens. I love You, Lord. You are my God and I will follow You till the end of time. Amen.
