In other words, until I know and believe and receive God's forgiveness, I am unable and incapable of fully forgiving others. Forgiveness is outside my human power and is a work of the Holy Spirit within me. To be able to forgive is an incredible confirmation of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If that's not encouragement, I don't know what is.
I am not saying that I don’t have any control over forgiveness. I can choose to or choose not to forgive. To choose not to forgive would not be a wise choice. But the gist of the revelation is how much easier forgiveness is when my forgiven standing before God is really believed and trusted. To be forgiven and to forgive are both works of the Holy Spirit.
To be unable to forgive someone who has offended me, reveals that I don’t really believe that God has forgiven me. (That’s a gut check.)
It is truly liberating to have bitterness, resentment and hurt replaced by love, grace and faith that God will do for others what He has done for me.
Satan’s goal is to steal, kill, destroy and deceive. I dare say that he is not pleased when we realize that we have been liberated from pain. For you see, when someone hurts me, it’s really not about me… it’s about God working in both our lives. For that, I can surrender and “count it all joy.” Knowing that God is involved somehow takes the “sting” out of the offense, completely.
Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Col. 3:13 (NLT)
It’s true. God is very near to the brokenhearted.(Psalm 34:18) After all, He suffered the ultimate heart break. However, the power of heart break and pain has been defeated by Him and He is in me.
Victory in Jesus!
Oh, what a tapestry of blessing is created on the loom of God’s forgiveness.
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