For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14
Forgiveness is one of the most powerful medicines that can ever be delivered to your spirit, soul, and body. God understanding your need for this supernatural power being imparted to every aspect of your life has chosen to forgive you of all your sins and has commanded you to “forgive one another just as He has forgiven you. ” (Psalm 103:3,12; Col. 3:13)
King David deeply understood God’s character and cried out for God’s mercy and unfailing love, when he sinned against God through his pre-meditated murder of Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband. (Ps. 51) In Psalm 103 King David reflects on the power of God’s forgiveness in his own life and in the redemptive history of Israelites and quotes from God’s self-description, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.” (Ps. 103:8, Exodus 34:6) Next, he imparts these Spirit-filled words to all those who are fearful of God’s retribution, “God has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities…” (Ps. 103:10).
As you receive God’s remarkable gift of forgiveness in Christ, you can live as one who has been truly forgiven, free of guilt and shame
Because of Christ’s shed blood on the cross, God has forgiven you of all of your sins and has paid for the punishment your sin deserved. (Col. 2:13-15) As you receive God’s remarkable gift of forgiveness in Christ, you can live as one who has been truly forgiven, free of guilt and shame. You can live in the joy of your salvation. (Ps. 51:12)
As you experience the power of God’s forgiveness in your own life, you are able to love others in like fashion, by forgiving those who have sinned against you. (Col. 3:13) When you have been abused in some way or treated badly, releasing forgiveness may not be easy. But, you must remember that forgiveness is a choice. In fact, it is a choice that you will never want to pass up because Jesus said, “…if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.” Mark 11:25 (Also see Matt. 6:12,14)
In a parable Jesus instructs us about this principle of forgiveness, explaining the torture one may incur, if they choose to hold unto unforgiveness. (Matthew 18) Click here to read the recently submitted testimony this past week about how someone who was released from daily nightmares for over 40 years after they chose to forgive their deceased dad, remaining free of all nightmares since they made this choice one year prior. Like I said, forgiveness is one of the most powerful medicines you can take. So don’t delay.
Forgiveness Prayer: Today, I choose to receive Your forgiveness for my sin(s). I also choose to forgive others, letting go of the person(s) and situation(s) that have held me captive. I give You the shame, guilt, anger, frustration, and pain that I have carried. By faith, I receive the peace and joy of my salvation in Christ.
LEARN MORE
Living in the Power of God’s Forgiveness, Session 3 of our 6 session teaching series, Living in the Power of the Gospel.