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, NIV)
Yes, if you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, then your Father in heaven will also forgive your wrongs. But if you don’t forgive others, then your Father in heaven will not forgive the wrongs you do. – (Matthew 6:14-15, ERV)
In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part. – (Matthew 6:14-15, MSG)
Matthew 7:12 tells us, “Do unto other as you want done unto you.” This “do unto others” applies to forgiveness as well. Forgiveness is a tricky thing, as it does not mean that you necessarily forget and resume all as usual, but rather it is a release of the weight of anger and hurt, and a choice to trust God to do what only He can do. There are times when forgiveness is simple, for small things, yet other times, we need to release the weight within us for things that seem unforgivable. The thing is, unforgiveness does not harm the offender, but rather it harms us. It is a weight that wraps around our heart and seeks to sink us to the depths of despair. Forgiveness releases the weight and trusts God to restore our heart and allows God to be the One to deal with the offender. He grants us wisdom in how to navigate after an offense. Sometimes, it is a mutual recognition of the harm that was done, and forgiveness and restoration rise up. Other times, boundaries have to be set and our method of moving forward may look different than before. Often, when the offense is immense, we have to forgive over and over again in order to release the burden created by what was broken. God is faithful, and He will meet us each time we choose to forgive and He is faithful to help us move forward with wisdom and grace. When we choose to hold onto hurts and withhold forgiveness, we get in the way of allowing God to forgive us. May we ever seek the Lord to help us forgive every offense, and praise Him for the forgiveness that He grants to us, for His forgiveness leads to our salvation and eternal life with Him.
Forgive each other,
as God forgives us;
for as we do so,
we honor Jesus.
If we hold a grudge,
we get in the way;
of the work of God,
that we should display.
The weight, too heavy,
for our hearts to hold;
release to His hands,
for grace to unfold.
We are forgiven,
as we choose forgive;
so seek our Father,
as to Him we give.
Give all our burdens,
the hurt and the weight;
His grace that follows,
is what makes the way.
Way to move forward,
as He calls us to;
living love out loud,
in the light of truth.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to forgive as we have been forgiven. Thank You that as we release the hurts and heartache and choose to forgive, You restore us and show us the power of Your goodness and love. Forgive us for the offenses that we cling to. Teach us to let go of hurt and offense and to seek You for wisdom as to how we are meant to move forward. Show us the power of Your love in all things. Lead us to love and forgive like You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You as they see the restorative power of releasing offense into Your hands. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to strengthen us to forgive again and again, for in forgiveness we come to know Your restoration through the release of wrongs.
© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. – Acts 13:38
Revelations In Writing 