One of the best lessons in the Christian life is to learn to forgive. It is not always an easy task and forgiveness is a directive of God. Oftentimes we can be hurt in the deepest way and this hurt may remain in our hearts long enough.
The Bible however teaches us that being angry can only destroy our spirit by holding on to anger. We are called to be forgivers as Christians, even when we perceive it to be difficult.
The Lord Jesus Christ taught explicitly on forgiveness. In Matthew 18: 21-22, Peter questioned Jesus on the number of times he should forgive the person who has offended him.
Jesus said to him, I am not telling you up to seven times, I am telling you up to seventy times seven. This demonstrates that there should not be boundaries of forgiveness. God desires us to forgive and keep forgiving each other as God forgives us on a daily basis.
I have found out that forgiveness does not imply that the wrong thing was right. It is the decision to have peace instead of bitterness. My heart is free and I am nearer to God when I forgive. In Ephesians 4: 31-32, it is stated that:
Let all bitterness wrath anger Anger be put away among you, be ye Charitable tenderhearted forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. This verse makes us remember that forgiveness is the image of God in us.
Our prayers are also related to forgiveness. In the book of Mark 11:25, Jesus stated that we should forgive others when we are standing praying so that our Father in heaven can also forgive us. It is an eye-opener that unforgiveness is something that puts a wall between us and God.
To sum it up, the process of learning to forgive is something that one does throughout his/her life. It involves humbleness, praying and being obedient to the word of God.
Obedience to God, healed heart and genuine Christian love are the benefits of sincerely forgiving.
God bless his word
Amen
