"Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
~ Colossians 3:13
Isn't forgiveness an interesting thing?
Our human nature kind of says, "But, I don't wanna."
And, in spite of the fact that He knows that, Jesus is crystal clear with us, we are to forgive.
The way we forgive others is a filter through which we are able to engage with the Father Himself.
Whether it's 7x70 or the example of the unforgiving servant, we are to forgive whatever debt, because the debt forgiven us is far far greater.
... And, the Lord's prayer itself reminds us so.
"Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."
I feel like I might have talked about this recently, but I'll go ahead and make mention anyway.
When I was a kiddo and we would kneel by the bed to say our prayers at night, my mother, little brother, and me, every time we would get to that line, my little bitty self had a yawn all lined up and ready so I almost never said that particular line.
I think little me was very present to the weight of being forgiven as I was able and willing to forgive. The reality is, it is weighty.
As an adult, the responsibility of that is still very present for me, so now I follow the line up with a mental note of, and thank You Abba, for helping me to be good at it.
By the way, and I feel almost silly reinforcing this, but just in case you need to hear it again, more often than not, forgiveness is a journey, it is a consistent active choice to say, I forgive, even when you don't feel like it. More often than not, it is not and one and done moment.
Give yourself grace for that and ask the Father when you need help.
That said, the freedom of forgiveness is a remarkable thing.
When we're not gripping hurts of the past, what are we available for?
What can God do in our lives and hearts and minds when we're willing to truly and authentically choose to let go, to truly forgive? What might He have in store for you when you choose forgiveness as a way of life?
Freedom is a beautiful thing.
Freedom in Christ is the access to the freedom of forgiveness in the world.
Our human nature wants to chew the cud of old hurts. It doesn't nourish. In fact, it poisons. That's not the life the Father wants for any of His children.
So, stand in the grace and mercy of the Father. Know the immense debt you have been forgiven by your Creator as did the king who released the debt of the servant. And, learning from the mistake of the servant, whenever new or old hurts come to the forefront, or are even perceived beneath the surface, let go.
Do yourself that favor. Stand in the forgiveness of the Savior, on the promises of Golgotha, and choose freedom, for yourself and others, make it a conversation with the Father.
... Remembering that our forgiveness of others is actually a response to and a continuing conversation with the Maker of the heavens and earth.
Freedom is a beautiful thing.
Your soul deserves to soar.
Let go. Release. Forgive. Be free.
Sometimes easier said than done, but so very worth it.
You are beloved of the Father, and He wants you to walk through the world in freedom, in His peace, secure in the knowledge of who He is for you, and whose you are.
May you be ever blessed.
Abba Father,
Thank You for helping us to be creatures of forgiveness, to live in true freedom, by the example of Your Son.
This we humbly pray in the name of Your Son, Yeshua HaMashiach.
Amen.
"For You, O Lord, are kind and forgiving, rich in loving devotion to all who call on You." ~ Psalm 86:5
"And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well." ~ Mark 11:25
"Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered." ~ Psalm 32:1
May the Good Lord bless you and keep you, friends... always, in all ways. Amen.
Bonus song of praise... ♥
(Below, find two videos that share the story behind the song. So very worth a watch.)
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