Bitterness/ Forgiveness

Matthew 6:14-16

New Living Translation (NLT).

 

¹⁴ “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins."

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Well then....I guess I could end this post right now.......

For real though! Forgiveness is tough, honestly holding on to bitterness is the "Easy" thing to do. But what a convicting verse, "If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

Translation: That includes all of us! No one is exempt from God's forgiveness! Think of it this way, when we make a choice not to forgive others, we are basically neglecting the fact that we are ALL sinners in need of God's forgiveness(Grace). We forgive, because God through Christ forgave us first! (Ephesians 4:32).

The biggest lie Satan can trick us into believing is that forgiving others somehow makes us weak. Ironically not forgiving others leave us in more pain than we felt previously. It's like holding your hand onto a hot stove...if you want to relieve yourself from the pain, you have to LET GO.

A common misconception people have is that forgiveness gives the person that hurt us, "power" over us. No, actually forgiveness frees us from the bondage of bitterness. Bondage is something that binds us, we are held down, we can't move! The bondage of bitterness holds us and prevents us from moving forward, but forgiveness frees us, and allows us to move ahead!


Unfortunately however, circumstances and situations don't make forgiveness easy. I am referring to circumstances such as continually being lied to, being sexually abused, verbally abused, etc. Honestly, people have experienced so much pain and hurt in ways I can't comprehend. Many times I can't even fathom the thought of forgiveness. However, everyone has experienced pain, and unfortunately people make bad decisions everyday based on their pain and bitterness they have not properly dealt with.

Consider this quote from former American World Peace Activist, Norman Cousins. He says that, "Life is an adventure in forgiveness." How true is that! Pretty much for the rest of our lives we are going to have to make that choice to forgive others.

Just like we have hurt people, and just as others have hurt us. One thing remains true. God is yearning for a relationship with EVERYONE! You never know how much power forgiving someone can truly have, not only in your life, but as well in the lives of those who hurt us. 
 

Ephesians 4:32

New Living Translation (NLT)

^"32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you."

To understand the power of forgiveness further, please watch the videos below!