Choose Forgiveness

  

Matthew 6:12 “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

 

My wife and I enjoy watching the “Dateline” and “20/20” Crime Mystery program on television that trace real violent criminal incidents and the investigations that lead to the identification, capture and prosecution of the perpetrator. It has always amazed me when, after a murder conviction and during the portion of the trial when the family is allowed to make a statement or address the assailant that took their loved one, how many of the family members tell the offender that they forgive them. 

 

Ephesians 1:7-8 tells us that “in Him [Jesus Christ] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of his grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight. Patricia Jean of the American Family Association points out that God desires health and peace for believers; therefore God requires forgiveness of others, because forgiveness has the ability to heal the soul. She states that forgiveness does not require judgment and to forgive is not to forget that you have personally suffered harm and loss. 

 

The act of forgiveness does not pardon the offense, excuse the wrong, or ignore it. Forgiveness is not necessarily reconciliation. but a step to wholeness in a journey to recovery. Forgiveness is required in order to conquer crippling emotions of fear and hatred, by freeing us from “unforgiveness”. On this side of eternity, people will always be offended and forgiveness will always be needed. The Lord Jesus instructs in Mark 11:25, “whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.” To forgive because you have been forgiven frees the heart to be right with God and true intimacy with the Lord, your God to be centered in love, joy and peace without distractions. 

Unforgiveness produces negative energy and is an expensive emotion. As an act of the will, choose to release any rightful anger towards the person who has caused the offense pain and suffering. Letting go exchanges the enormous weight of bitterness, hate and injury with freedom and healing. Forgiveness releases you from the power the oppressor has over you. This personal choice allows them to no longer continue having a place in our lives where we feel controlled by them. Choose forgiveness.

 

In Christ, Brian