Christian Forgiveness

What is Christian forgiveness?

Defining Christian forgiveness is done with words and actions. The word “forgive” is a grace word in the English, as well as the Greek, meaning “to give or to grant.” The meaning is “to remit a debt, to give up resentment or claim for requital, or to pardon an offense.” Christian forgiveness also encompasses action. Our confession with God involves us seeing our sins as He sees it, bringing God’s forgiveness. When we sin against others, we sin against God. For this reason, we ask God to forgive us of our sins, but we must also forgive our fellow man.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 NIV).

What guides Christian forgiveness if an offender is not willing to repent, when the victim has done nothing wrong? The Lord commands us to forgive, releasing the offense and the offender to Him. This is done in prayer to the Lord. God recognizes these situations with this Scripture.

“Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19 NIV).

When we have been wronged, and know we did nothing to deserve harsh treatment from the offender, we normally begin to think of retaliation. Retaliation or revenge is not the right course of action. We no longer dwell on the offense when we relinquish forgiveness, allowing God to take care of the vengeance in a fair, just, and appropriate manner.

Steps to Christian Forgiveness

1. We recognize that we are sinners in need of forgiveness.
2. We make the choice to forgive others.
3. We believe and experience Christ’s loving forgiveness in our lives.
4. Christ helps us to overcome negative thoughts that are blocking our ability to forgive.
5. The Holy Spirit empowers us with the right attitude to forgive those who have hurt us.
6. Trust that God will judge all the wrongs in the world.
7. When struggling with forgiving others, talk with someone you respect and trust to give you wise counsel, such as your pastor or friend.

How does this apply to us?

Our anger, our desire for retribution, our need to be respected, and our vanity in our authorities tend to get in the way of our relationship with Jesus and with others. Whether family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances, or those who do us wrong; we must strive to be better than what we get. I know this is easier said than done. And I would be a hypocrite if I said that I could forgive everyone always. But I am reminded of that Amish village who forgave the man that showed up at their school and killed their children in cold blood. That takes a strong faith in our God and a strong belief that He will deal with all transgressions.

We are quick to ask for forgiveness, but giving forgiveness is the Godly thing to do. I pray that we all take a step back and a few deep breaths and learn how much more at peace and how much closer to God we can get when we learn to forgive. After all, joy is always better than despair.

The Dark Hall

How many times have you gotten up out of bed in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and stubbed your toe? The next thing you feel is intense pain and anger. Probably followed by a torrent, whether internal or external of profane words. It has happened to me numerous times. But more often than that we get up, walk out our bedroom doors, down the hall, and into the bathroom without turning on a light and probably have our eyes closed. This in itself could be a metaphor for how we live. We know that all deeds no matter how righteous are like filthy rags to the Lord. So we walk through life never turning on that light and just making our way through the normal obstacles in our way until that time when we stub our toes. These obstacles that we wander around take away little by little away from what really matters. And that is our connection with God. Our vanity and self love, our compassion for self first, our desire to think of us before others. We do things that draw attention to ourselves in order to be lifted up. Whether it is showing off or telling about our great exploits. We put ourselves up on that pedestal for all to see. Then once we are up there we rarely if at all give credit to the one that has given us the ability and talents to do such things. So how do we counter this trap that is so easily fallen into? First we must recognize what Timothy said in his second letter. “All Scripture is God –breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17. We trust in the word of the Lord. We take what it says and apply it to our own lives. It is not the words that come out of our mouths but our actions that show the world our relationship with the Lord. And it is those actions that show whether or not others will see that following God is the only path to salvation. Our actions speak louder than our words ever will. I have had the privilege of God revealing to me just what it means to be in His presence when He uses the Holy Spirit to draw someone to Him. It is amazing how God plans everything. So the next time we are in the mode of self first, ask how can I turn what I am doing into something for the glory of God? Use this train of thought to turn on that light in that dark hallway so that we don’t stub our toes. Our time on this planet is limited. Only the Father knows when it is time to go home. Go out and make believers of nations. And just as Jesus did so should we, not just by our words. But by our actions.

Anger...

Before it’s too late think about what we do. Our emotions can bring us closer to someone, and just as quickly separate us from that same person. Anger in itself is not a sin. God is angry with the wicked, God was angry at Solomon, God was angry at Israel, Jesus was angry with the Pharisees. If you remember Jesus even flipped tables and yelled at those who were desecrating the house of the Father. It is what we do with this strong emotion of anger that determines who we are and what we do. James told us that we should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger; our anger separates us from the life that God desires for us. So let’s think of it this way, what does anger really get us? Headaches, lack of sleep, loss of friendship. It brings your inner self out and that isn’t always a good thing. Proverbs 17:9 (NIV) says “He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” Anger and jealousy helped cause the first murder ever. Many times what our actions and what comes out of our mouths when we are angry are impossible to take back. If a friend makes us angry, then we should be grateful that we have a friend close enough to do just that. So what can we do? When angered walk away, take a breath, and let it go. But the most important thing that we can do is to ask for that person’s forgiveness and our own forgiveness in prayer to God. Remember the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. When we mess up, cross God, make friends mad; we want to be forgiven right? So let’s live that example. Remember that God does get angry, but He also forgives. The fact that we are still on this planet is proof of that. How much better would the world be if we were to treat each other in this manner? How much better would our lives be if we were to make this one of our ways to live? So before it’s too late think about what we do.

Would You Say It Is Time To Move?

Would you say it is time to get up and move if you were sitting on the floor and found that you where sitting on an ant pile? Would you say that it was time to move if you were living in a house whose foundation was sinking? Would you say it was time to move if you were sitting in a stagnant pool and the water was just festering and dirty? I would be willing to bet that any of us would get up and not let those ants bite us, or let the roof come tumbling down upon our heads, or allow any disease to invade our bodies. So then why do we allow these things to happen to us in our spiritual lives and our walk with the Lord? He has told us that we are the church and Christ is the head. Not the brick and mortar that we sit in every Sunday. So why let all those little sins and all those opportunities nip at us and hurt us and not do something about it? So why let ourselves look down our noses at others and claim we are saved yet not go out and bring others to Jesus? I will tell you why. Because we are scared! We are scared that we will go up to someone and start a conversation about Jesus and be thought of as a “religious nut”, or that our friends will stop liking us because we are believers in Christ. Or even worst, we have grown so accustomed to our own religious routine that any deviation will cause total and utter discomfort in what we are doing. Well maybe we need to go ahead and step out of our comfort zone and into that place where Jesus dwells. Remember that He came down here and became poor and humbled so that we may be saved and not worry about roasting over those everlasting coals that waited for us otherwise. So why can’t we do the same for Him? You know the ones that always sit in the exact same pew never change, never sing, never say hallelujah or amen in service. They show up as if they were there to be served and not think twice about doing something in return. Ladies and gentlemen, I tell you right now. We owe our entire life and existence to Jesus Christ. So step out and move, for those that wait, won’t be too happy when Jesus looks into your heart and asks you what you have done for Him. We have our orders, we have been taught how to execute them, now let’s go and complete that commission given to us by our Teacher, Master, and Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t be afraid. Would you say it is time to move?

When You Want to Make Something Stick You Glue It.

Today I wanted to share with you a video that I came accross from a preacher by the name of Louie Giglio. The video lasts 8 minutes and 43 seconds. Turn on your volume, maximize your screen, and sit back and enjoy. It's a bit sciencie at first. But I promise you, that you won't be dissapointed. You will get it about half way through. Just click the link and enjoy. God has always had a plan. Here is some more proof.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4zgJXPpI4


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