Forgiveness Part 3

Dear Partner, Friends and Family,

"Forgiveness doesn't make the other person right, it makes you free!" - Stormie Omartian.

Unforgiveness holds us in bondage. We often want forgiveness but then choose to hold on to the offences of others. Let's read the following scripture, this was a parable that Jesus shared with His disciples, showing God's attitude towards people that refuse to forgive others, after they have received major forgiveness themselves.   

"Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt. “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.” (Matthew 18:32-35 NLT),

From the above verses, we can see that people who refuse to forgive from their hearts are turned over to the tormentors. When we refuse to forgive, it puts a blockage between us and God. As stated previously, in Part 1 and 2 of this series, we see how unforgiveness can wreak havoc in the life of the one who refuses to forgive and "let go" of the offence.

Unforgiveness affects the one refusing to forgive, as well as the one not forgiven.  

"If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven" (John 20:23 NLT).

Once again, forgiveness is a liberating, freeing and healing anointing that flows from God through us, to the one we are forgiving and releases healing and freedom to both parties.

In India, where I did many large healing rallies, which saw great salvation, deliverance and miracles, I would always dedicate one night to ministering on forgiveness. I would teach about the power and the purpose of forgiveness and how Jesus, from the Cross, forgave us of all our sins. I would share how it is a command of God, that we forgive all that have wronged us. That God would not ask us to do the impossible or something we could not do. That when God asks us to do something, He also supplies the strength, the ability and "where with all" to do it. If you find it extremely difficult to forgive someone that has wronged you because of fear of being hurt again, emotions, feelings or scars from the abuse, or some other reason, then just ask God to supply the love and the strength to do it. 

Remember, words have power! And forgiveness is an act of your will. Say or pray to this effect, "Lord, I forgive them. Let the love and the forgiveness that flows from You to them, flow through me to them. I forgive them in Your love. Empower me by Your Spirit. Holy Spirit, let the love of God be poured out by You in my heart now. I release forgiveness to them now, in Jesus' name, I say, Father in You and Your strength, I forgive them."  

Put the person's name in there as you pray, as you are forgiving. Forgive them from your heart as an act of Your will, believing for God's ability and divine empowerment through His grace to do so. Your emotions and feelings (soul) will line up with the decision that you have made from your heart, where the power and the Kingdom of God reside.  

"Nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you'” (Luke 17:21 NKJV).

From this scripture, we can see that God's power and Kingdom reside within the born-again believer! When you are born again, you have God's power within you! The Christian life is to be lived out of the strength of the Spirit. We need to become more aware of the Holy Spirit and His presence, power, anointing and ability within us.

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head” (Romans 12:20).

We can see from this scripture the heart of God and how He wants us to treat our enemies. When we do this, we bring our enemies under the spotlight of God. God can go to work on them. According to the book of Proverbs, curses rebound on the heads of those that send them (Proverbs 26:2).

Once again, we see the law of sowing and reaping at work. People reap what people sow. When we sow forgiveness, we reap forgiveness. When your enemy attacks you and you forgive them, your enemy reaps what they have sown towards you. You not only set yourself free by blessing your enemy through forgiveness, but you set yourself free. Remember, love covers a multitude of sins. Your acts of kindness and love can result in the perpetrator being saved. Ultimately it is up to them. They have to receive God's forgiveness. But you will walk and live in the power of God's love and freedom.

When your heart is right before God, you can walk in His freedom. There is a powerful prayer in 2 Timothy 2:25 that you can pray, asking God to grant them repentance to acknowledge the truth, so they can recover themselves out of Satan's snare.  

"In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." (2 Timothy 2:25-26).

Satan uses unforgiveness to trap and snare us. It is one of His devices that He uses to steal, kill and destroy. Unforgiveness can manifest in physical and mental illness, and it can block the promises of God from manifesting in our life.  

So then, if we have offended, we are to initiate forgiveness. If we have been offended, we are to initiate forgiveness. So often, we want judgement for others but mercy for ourselves.

Often we judge others by their actions, but we judge ourselves by our intentions. Let us learn to live with an attitude of forgiveness. I dare you to walk in God's love today by releasing forgiveness to any and all that have wronged you in any way.  

Empowering you to win in life through Jesus Christ.

God bless, and have a great day!

Ps. Shaun Marler

World Harvest Ministries

Please share this update with anyone you believe would be blessed by it. 
Tell others about our ministry and help us to connect with your friends and family.