Forgive

Forgive!

For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Matthew 6:14 AMPC

Context and Charge:

Jesus was teaching the disciples about the power of the secret place. The disciples were with Him at the top of the mountain, with the crowd all around the foot of the mountain, also listening to Jesus. As always, I have to decide what my reaction, response and reception to the Word of God will be. The Word of God speaks a universal language, but there is a need for a personal encounter with the Word. It is that encounter that colours all that I do, and drives my daily pursuits and priorities. Don't forget: Jesus was speaking to His disciples about the power of the secret place. A lot of the issues and heartaches we have today are due to our inability to understand and comprehend the value of that secret place. Is life only about what men can see and applaud, or do I seek only the applause of heaven?

Part of the power of that secret place is the grace to forgive all who wrong me. From the verse above, it is clear that forgiveness has a strong hold over a man's life and destiny. God ties his dealings with me to my dealings with other people. If I can let go of offences and hurt from other people, I am saying very clearly that I also recognise the grace I have received from God too. This is the God who forgave me all my sins, even before I was born, and long before I would even commit them. As I consider this definition of forgiveness, I begin to understand the full measure of what i have received: "a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness." That is deep.

Conviction and Conclusion:

You see, you forgive, not because the person has asked for it, but because it is all you have to give freely. You are not compelled to do it, but it is all that can flow out of you when the squeze comes. Jesus is not asking me for excuses, or genuine reasons why I cannot forgive. I must, if I will receive the same treatment from Him. And because I have been placed on earth, people are the raw materials for this test. They will get on my nerves just as I will on them too, and that is why forgiveness is important. We may not always agree but we know that our humanity is the common thread and we all need God's grace. Don't take up the poison of resentment and hurt yourself; learn to let go, so you can also enjoy the mercy and grace of God in all His fullness. God's time of favour is here .