Unfinished Forgiveness

Do you have a hard time with forgiveness? Do you feel as if you should have to pay for it, because it would be unfair or unjust to receive it? Well justice was served. Jesus did what you could never do: For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit (1 Peter 3:18). By not receiving His forgiveness, or even failing to forgive yourself, not mention that of others, you are being unfair or unjust. Jesus paid the price, so you may be forgiven and reconciled onto God. Are you more worthy than He?
   So, you want to make it up? Then do it God’s way, which requires humility. By recognizing where you stand, and then repenting, you open yourself up to embrace the freedom forgiveness has to offer. Learn from what took place, and move on with the life God has for you. If you never humble yourself, you will never make amends. Humility recognizes its true Source of forgiveness. By refusing to receive it, in essence, you’re playing God. You’ve become your own judge, and jury. Guess what: you will never be acquitted. You will always feel guilty, because you weren’t cleared of the charges. Once you receive Him and His forgiveness, there are no more charges to be leveled at you. No reason to feel shame. Acts 10:43 To Him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.
   Hebrews 10:16-18  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.  
   Remission means there’s no more sin to remember. Sin has no more power over you. To learn more, read the entirety of Romans 6 for starters. Take your time. Remember, we walk in the righteousness of Jesus which makes us the righteousness of God (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). Therefore, walk righteously.
One more thing: it would be totally unjust to not forgive others. This is the other part of doing things God’s way. If you’ve been forgiven, it’s important to forgive anyone who may have done you wrong in some way, shape or form -regardless of how horrendous the offence. Matthew 6:14-15 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.
   If you feel the need for revenge: forgive! It’s the ultimate, because the enemy of our souls would love nothing more than for you to destroy yourself, not to mention anyone else. By the way, by asking someone to forgive, you’re not only asking to be released from your trespass, you’re inviting them into healing and mercy. Healing begins with forgiveness, and without it there is none. Unforgiveness is the road to bitterness. And this goes full circle. Forgiving others and yourself saves you from becoming a bitter human being!

www.perfectfaith.org