The act of offering forgiveness isn’t as simple as one might expect. This action takes a strong-willed individual willing to erase the entire matter without prejudice. Whether we’re forgiving a debt or an incogitable act of violence against ourselves or a loved one, forgiveness is a key element in pursuing life without the dead weight of hate. Though the jury is still out on whether holding a grudge is a sin or an iniquity, I'm sure God does not hold either in high esteem.
As a matter of fact, God actually hardened the heart of Pharaoh in the book of Exodus against the children of Israel as a testimony of how forgiveness works. Forgiveness is a two-way street, so to speak. God forgives as we forgive. So why would God harden the heart of a wicked Pharoah? Exodus 10:16 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the Lord your God, and against you. 17 Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and entreat the Lord your God, that he may take away from me this death only.
I’m sure Moses was just as confused as we are centuries later. However, God has a plan more divine than man’s logic. So that the Pharaoh, his host, and the Egyptians would know that the Sovereign God of all creations, galaxies and eternity is the Lord God, He devised a plan of salvation so profound and unprecedented that His existence could never be denied or excused as a fable.
Today, as we maneuver through the contemptuous maze of life and attempt to maintain a drama-free lifestyle, we are constantly challenged by co-workers, friends, family members, associates, and strangers. In most cases the trespasses are simple and easily forgiven, however, there are occasions when our hearts are ripped open by deceit and treachery so “unforgivable,” that it truly takes an act of God just to escape causing bodily injury to the offender. This is where the true gift of the Holy Spirit becomes a life-saver and a trusted guide. Yet, we who aren’t as committed to religion or have an intermittent relationship with God struggle the most. The root of forgiveness is planted in the heart of God, and without having a 24/7 relationship with God we are lost in an abyss of uncertainty.
The foundation of love is God, and only God can supply humanity with the necessary nutrients required to sustain friendships and common relationships. Though we have innate abilities which require human contact and nurturing as babies, it is possible during puberty that we define how long we will hold on to hurt or grudges. As we enter adulthood we make choices concerning how we will handle our emotions and enemies. Most times as adults we mature to the point of accepting loss or disappointment with grace, or we lash out each time we are faced with controversy. It is imperative that we find a suitable median. We are entitled to as human beings, Christians or otherwise to experience fear, hate, unforgiveness, hurt and anger. However, when we hold on to emotions which cause stress or anger to the point of taking a life, hurting ourselves or taking the law into our own hands, we are treading on very dangerous grounds spiritually and lawfully. God knows our limitations and planned before the foundation of the world to provide divine intervention when humanity fails our many expectations. Human beings are complex creatures and need constant reassurance and emotional strength to overcome the vices of darkness. As a matter of fact, some folks gravitate to the dark side of spiritual warfare and seem to thrive.
But, in all of life’s scams and hateful attacks against cultures, individuals, and truths we need a constant reminder of why forgiveness is the key to success in life.
Jesus Christ; a man born of a virgin and nurtured by an earthly father, was actually divinity clothed in humanity. Though many groups challenge the authenticity of the Holy Bible or the existence of God, the clear and concise evidence is overwhelming in favor of God existing as Spirit and His son bearing all of humanity's sins on a cross as prophesied. Whether one believes God died through His son; Christ Jesus or believes Jesus the Messiah was just a prophet, one fact will never fail to convict mankind. We were all born of flesh, and we all have a spiritual context. The spirit of a human being contains many attributes that only a Spiritual entity of superior magnitude can nurture, amend or restore. Jesus Christ professed-all souls are mine. And to that end, we have an advocate who never sleeps nor slumbers. There will never be another human being who will gladly lay down their life for the sins of strangers and barely a friend. As the Bible declares; “we were bought with a price.” And with this price comes an infinite reward of forgiveness equal in dispensation to every human being who chooses to seek this spiritual gift. The act of forgiveness is, as mentioned, a two-way street. Forgiving a trespass takes courage, and receiving forgiveness should be received with humility and grace. However, before we forgive there are a few points we should take into consideration.
The first point is what role did we play in the alleged offense? Sometimes we are as culpable as the offender. Are we willing to forgive and seek forgiveness? Are we willing to evaluate the offense fairly? Here’s a scenario which may explain the point: “You and a friend decide to unfriend a mutual friend due to a hurtful lie the mutual friend spread throughout a group. To also add injury to insult, you decide to treat the offender rudely, and never talk with the ex-friend about the initial rumor.” Who owes the first apology? In most offenses, we involve emotions which may or may not be valid.
The second point may or may not hit home concerning, how to forgive. Sometimes we forgive the worst portion of the offense, but the entire matter may not be settled or completely forgiven. For example: “A friend wrecks your car with no injury or damage to property or another driver while driving drunk. Though you are glad there weren’t any injuries and you forgave the damage to your vehicle, days later there are still details laying dormant which weren’t addressed. Such as a strong dislike for your friend’s drinking habits, and other details you never addressed in the past.
Lastly, are we willing to forgive ourselves? There are times and will always be situations that take our lives by storm, which may be due to our attention to detail being less than admirable. There are countless examples, but there is one such example that resonates clearly with most single adults. The case of the “ex,” from hell. Too many relationships are pursued due to loneliness or underlying desires to get back at an “ex,” before this now “ex.” Sounds complicated but it's a common dilemma. When we are the culprits in defying logic and common sense in our lives, we need to think long and hard about how to avoid future chaos. That man/woman in the mirror needs to be reassured daily.
Forgiveness is a way of life, not just a part of life. When we forgive quickly, be aware of the process of forgiveness. Analyze the entire matter and dissect those hidden agendas which are just as important as the injurious portion of the offense. Our feelings matter; our person matters, and more important our spiritual man matters. To balance each aspect of our being takes prayer and daily reflection. Learn to forgive in its entirety, and count the entire cost. Forgiveness has many doors, and aspects we may not realize or expect, however, we owe it to ourselves and God to reason the entire matter.
As a matter of fact, God actually hardened the heart of Pharaoh in the book of Exodus against the children of Israel as a testimony of how forgiveness works. Forgiveness is a two-way street, so to speak. God forgives as we forgive. So why would God harden the heart of a wicked Pharoah? Exodus 10:16 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the Lord your God, and against you. 17 Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and entreat the Lord your God, that he may take away from me this death only.
I’m sure Moses was just as confused as we are centuries later. However, God has a plan more divine than man’s logic. So that the Pharaoh, his host, and the Egyptians would know that the Sovereign God of all creations, galaxies and eternity is the Lord God, He devised a plan of salvation so profound and unprecedented that His existence could never be denied or excused as a fable.
Today, as we maneuver through the contemptuous maze of life and attempt to maintain a drama-free lifestyle, we are constantly challenged by co-workers, friends, family members, associates, and strangers. In most cases the trespasses are simple and easily forgiven, however, there are occasions when our hearts are ripped open by deceit and treachery so “unforgivable,” that it truly takes an act of God just to escape causing bodily injury to the offender. This is where the true gift of the Holy Spirit becomes a life-saver and a trusted guide. Yet, we who aren’t as committed to religion or have an intermittent relationship with God struggle the most. The root of forgiveness is planted in the heart of God, and without having a 24/7 relationship with God we are lost in an abyss of uncertainty.
The foundation of love is God, and only God can supply humanity with the necessary nutrients required to sustain friendships and common relationships. Though we have innate abilities which require human contact and nurturing as babies, it is possible during puberty that we define how long we will hold on to hurt or grudges. As we enter adulthood we make choices concerning how we will handle our emotions and enemies. Most times as adults we mature to the point of accepting loss or disappointment with grace, or we lash out each time we are faced with controversy. It is imperative that we find a suitable median. We are entitled to as human beings, Christians or otherwise to experience fear, hate, unforgiveness, hurt and anger. However, when we hold on to emotions which cause stress or anger to the point of taking a life, hurting ourselves or taking the law into our own hands, we are treading on very dangerous grounds spiritually and lawfully. God knows our limitations and planned before the foundation of the world to provide divine intervention when humanity fails our many expectations. Human beings are complex creatures and need constant reassurance and emotional strength to overcome the vices of darkness. As a matter of fact, some folks gravitate to the dark side of spiritual warfare and seem to thrive.
But, in all of life’s scams and hateful attacks against cultures, individuals, and truths we need a constant reminder of why forgiveness is the key to success in life.
Jesus Christ; a man born of a virgin and nurtured by an earthly father, was actually divinity clothed in humanity. Though many groups challenge the authenticity of the Holy Bible or the existence of God, the clear and concise evidence is overwhelming in favor of God existing as Spirit and His son bearing all of humanity's sins on a cross as prophesied. Whether one believes God died through His son; Christ Jesus or believes Jesus the Messiah was just a prophet, one fact will never fail to convict mankind. We were all born of flesh, and we all have a spiritual context. The spirit of a human being contains many attributes that only a Spiritual entity of superior magnitude can nurture, amend or restore. Jesus Christ professed-all souls are mine. And to that end, we have an advocate who never sleeps nor slumbers. There will never be another human being who will gladly lay down their life for the sins of strangers and barely a friend. As the Bible declares; “we were bought with a price.” And with this price comes an infinite reward of forgiveness equal in dispensation to every human being who chooses to seek this spiritual gift. The act of forgiveness is, as mentioned, a two-way street. Forgiving a trespass takes courage, and receiving forgiveness should be received with humility and grace. However, before we forgive there are a few points we should take into consideration.
The first point is what role did we play in the alleged offense? Sometimes we are as culpable as the offender. Are we willing to forgive and seek forgiveness? Are we willing to evaluate the offense fairly? Here’s a scenario which may explain the point: “You and a friend decide to unfriend a mutual friend due to a hurtful lie the mutual friend spread throughout a group. To also add injury to insult, you decide to treat the offender rudely, and never talk with the ex-friend about the initial rumor.” Who owes the first apology? In most offenses, we involve emotions which may or may not be valid.
The second point may or may not hit home concerning, how to forgive. Sometimes we forgive the worst portion of the offense, but the entire matter may not be settled or completely forgiven. For example: “A friend wrecks your car with no injury or damage to property or another driver while driving drunk. Though you are glad there weren’t any injuries and you forgave the damage to your vehicle, days later there are still details laying dormant which weren’t addressed. Such as a strong dislike for your friend’s drinking habits, and other details you never addressed in the past.
Lastly, are we willing to forgive ourselves? There are times and will always be situations that take our lives by storm, which may be due to our attention to detail being less than admirable. There are countless examples, but there is one such example that resonates clearly with most single adults. The case of the “ex,” from hell. Too many relationships are pursued due to loneliness or underlying desires to get back at an “ex,” before this now “ex.” Sounds complicated but it's a common dilemma. When we are the culprits in defying logic and common sense in our lives, we need to think long and hard about how to avoid future chaos. That man/woman in the mirror needs to be reassured daily.
Forgiveness is a way of life, not just a part of life. When we forgive quickly, be aware of the process of forgiveness. Analyze the entire matter and dissect those hidden agendas which are just as important as the injurious portion of the offense. Our feelings matter; our person matters, and more important our spiritual man matters. To balance each aspect of our being takes prayer and daily reflection. Learn to forgive in its entirety, and count the entire cost. Forgiveness has many doors, and aspects we may not realize or expect, however, we owe it to ourselves and God to reason the entire matter.
