There is a connection between forgiveness Freedom. It all began thousands of years ago in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve violated their freedom and committed a sin. They disobeyed God- their Creator. God knew then that the world would be in serious trouble. He had to do something to save mankind.
So He promised a seed (Genesis 3:15). The Old Testament prophets, (Isaiah 7, Micah 5. Hosea11) prophesied about Jesus’ birth and Jesus birth was fulfilled in the New Testament. (Matthew and Luke 1 & 2). The promised seed, Jesus, was born. God would later gave the promised seed, His son, Jesus to die so that our sins would be forgiven.
Jesus freely died for our sins, yet He Himself never sinned. He was perfect and He enjoyed His freedom. He asked God to forgive the people who hurt and sinned against Him. One of the commands given in the Word (The Holy Bible) is that we must forgive.
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 (Matthew 6:14-15).
Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors. (Matthew 6:14-15).
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you (Ephesians 4:32).
Why should you forgive?
Because it is what the Lord has commanded in His Word. There is a popular saying; “Forgiving frees the forgiver.” So the greatest benefit of forgiveness then, is to set you free.
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you (Matthew 6:14).
Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift (Matthew 5:23-24).
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others (Colossians 3:13).
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: (Luke 6:37).
God is waiting to hear you ask Him for forgiveness. There is nothing, absolutely nothing that you have ever done that He will not forgive if you ask.
How often must I forgive?
Peter asked that very question of Jesus and the answer was:
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven
Matthew 18:22. Also see Luke 17:3-4.
This suggests to me that forgiveness is something we must practice often and for as long as the need exists.
Tell Jesus you are sorry for your sins and He will forgive you. He loves us so much; He already paid the price for our sins. Believe He has forgiven you.
Go to the people you need to apologize to go and ask for their forgiveness or tell the people who have hurt you that you have forgiven them. Be careful not to have preconceived thoughts of what their reactions might be.
Simply go with a selfless attitude and with no expectation. What really matters is that you do your part: forgive yourself, accept God’s forgiveness and forgive other.
If this is too difficult for you to do, simply ask God to help you. There is nothing too hard for God (Jeremiah 32:27; Genesis 18:14). With God all thing are possible. (Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27).
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed (John 8:36).
Obedience will force you to step out and take care of this matter of forgiveness.
I’d like to conclude with this quote from George Herbert: “He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass."
Pauline Lewinson
www.netwebmarketer.com/pauline
Resources: The Bible,
http://radicalforgiveness.com
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