Choose Forgiveness & Live

Choosing to Forgive

“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.” Matt.6:14, 15

Forgiving one’s abuser or offender goes directly against the human nature and is not possible in the truest sense without the divine assistance of Jesus Christ. The flesh cries out for revenge when one becomes an innocent victim of life-shattering abuse or destruction. The more prolonged or intense one’s suffering may be - the greater is the attempt of the enemy to implant his poisonous seeds of malicious anger and bitter hatred within the tattered depths of the victim’s heart, mind and soul. Once he gains that foothold the downward spiral of destruction gains momentum with each step taken in that direction of hateful unforgiveness.

I would like to testify that one of the most liberating experiences (outside of receiving salvation through Jesus) is to renounce and reject every bitter thought and hateful intent which one may harbor against anyone who has hurt or even shattered them. Once we have chosen, with God’s help, to reject the bitter seeds of Satan’s sowing we then reach a distinguished crossroads. Here we will have to make a conscious choice of following our feelings and travel the dark road of anger, revenge and bitterness; or we will choose against our will, feelings & natural inclinations to take the steep, impossible-looking ascent on the rocky unbeaten path that leads to forgiveness.

The moment one decides to choose forgiveness’ path, even though “they don’t feel like it,” Jesus, the Master Forgiver steps right beside that soul and enables them to proceed against all other argument or obstacle. With Jesus at our side He freely pours out His divine love, abundant strength and Spirit-led direction. With His divine assistance we can then make a choice which overrules the will, mind, pain and all the bitter lies & interference of Satan.

AND THEN THE MIRACLE HAPPENS!

At the cross of Jesus and kneeling at His feet, He aids us in love as we completely release into His hand all the agony of our abuse/hurt, the perpetrator of that pain, all the resulting damage, consequences and everything spoken or enacted against us. What a tremendous burden lifts from the heart, mind and shoulders as Jesus takes each released item into His control! He then gives the abundance of grace, love and power to pay for the damage done as we surrender it all to His nail-pierced hand to take full charge over. The glorious freedom that overwhelms the body, soul and mind as the Master has full control is so miraculous; and gone is every poison seed of unforgiveness/hatred! Jesus has replaced it with a deep compassion and love for the soul of the abuser/offender and the freed individual is filled with a longing that this person who ravaged so much destruction in their life would experience Jesus and join them in eternity’s bliss! 

To refuse to forgive our offender/abuser is to deliberately choose to be that person's slave: for the consequent bitterness and hatred will bind one in chains which cannot be broken except by the power of God. Bitter hatred will drive one to depths and bondage never dreamed possible keep that person under the control of the perpetrator.

But with Jesus right beside us to lead and help, we can choose to forgive the most grievous offense and damage, with the perpetrator/offender – and in choosing thus we choose life, freedom, peace and a position of “joint-heir” with Jesus who forgave all our sin and debt! Let's choose the only true way to be free! Forgive!

To God Be the Glory!