Forgiving Others – Living A Lifetime Of Freedom

The Ultimate Sacrifice

God sent His Son to earth as a sacrifice, to actually die an excruciating death upon a cross on account of our sin. Scripture proclaims He was so disfigured, more than that of any man.

Just as there were many who were appalled at him-his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness-
Isaiah 52:14 NIV

An Act of Forgiveness

Jesus Christ was wholly innocent and those who mocked Him while He hung upon the cross and also determined Him guilty had been the ones responsible. He was being crucified for their sins yet He spoke to His Heavenly Father asking for their forgiveness.

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to actually divide his clothes.
LuKe 23:34

Their wrongdoing towards Jesus had been great, yet His forgiveness was in fact greater.

What He Expects

For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
Matthew 6:14-15

It is hard for us to be able to forgive a person that has caused us hurt however it is exactly what Jesus is actually asking and also expectant from us. He was a perfect example of this in forgiving those who had harmed Him even though they had not asked for forgiveness.

“And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
Ephesians 4:32

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Colossians 3:12-13

The Accuser

Consider a situation in your own life where you was harmed greatly. Have you experienced this over and over mentally, do you find yourself being aggressive in thought toward that person? In your mind have you accused them, have you directed an resentful finger their way or probably angry words, as I have, at individuals who have hurt you? Has it transformed you into an annoyed person full of bitterness? Have you handed Satan a foothold in your life? He wouldn’t desire you to forgive. You see He came to be able to harm.

Are you able see just what the individual that injured you is certainly continuing to cause in your daily life? Hurt, discomfort, up evil, bitterness, Satan’s grip.

Those We Love

Those that cause us by far the most hurt are the people we love by far the most. It is often a wife or husband damaging the other one. Maybe a mom or dad betraying their son or daughter, a sibling which lashes out or perhaps a good friend who turns on you.

Then add a person’s combatant behavior towards them therefore we have hearts abundant with hate and no possible resolution. The frustration, hurt, bitterness continues to advance until eventually somebody tells you I’m sorry or if you decide to forgive them even if not asked.

It’s Your Decision?

The joy and peace with releasing the one who causes harm to you to God is certainly beyond description. They never ask to be forgiven and their strangle hold persisted until you handed them to God. You are then able to release your frustration and harm pent up inside. Ask yourself this question? Who much better to handle them you or perhaps God?

I love this verse on love where we are told not to be arrogant, rude or insist on our own way.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7

God has an answer for all of life’s trials and we have a gift for you:

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