Forgiveness

Matthew 6:12, 14 (GNT) Forgive us the wrongs we have done, as we forgive the wrongs that others have done to us. “If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you, your Father in heaven will also forgive you.

One of the key steps towards total deliverance in every area of life is when one walks in forgiveness. There are times when people cannot get healed or get breakthroughs unless they forgive others who have wronged them in the past. Forgiveness is to release another person of the wrong they did you. It is to get rid of negative emotions you may have towards another person for having done you bad. Maybe that person is the one who is the cause of the curse that is running in your family, forgive them. 

It's humble people who can easily forgive. And humility too comes by the Holy Spirit. Jesus Himself said if you don't forgive, your heavenly father won't forgive you. Now this is serious. If your heavenly Father forgave you of your sins, is it too much for you to forgive another of the minor offenses they have made towards you? They are less in comparison to what God did. 

We need to act like little children. In one minute, they have hurt each other in another they are back together playing happily as if nothing has happened. They take no record of suffered wrongs. But when men grow older, they start taking record of wrongs suffered. I have learned through hearing from men of God how they did walk in this truth. One man of God (Andrew Wommack) because he walked in this truth once said he had a friend who hurt him and he forgave the friend only to go back the next day and wanted to give him and hug and act as if nothing happened. He then saw the friend acting up and avoiding him and he got concerned. This man of God went back to his car and asked his wife why his friend was behaving that way. His wife looked at him in wonder and said, don't you even remember what happened yesterday? How he acted towards you? He had put all that aside and continued walking in love towards his friend. Now that's freedom. Freedom to approach the one who hurt you as if you don't know what happened just the day before. 

Another man of God (Kenneth Hagin) narrated how he took over the pastoral office of one church. The former pastor of that church continued collecting tithes from the members of the church which was a wrong thing to do. What amazed me was when Kenneth offered to wall paper or renovate his house sometime later for free and also invited him back to the church he was now pastoring to restore him to the people! Now this was amazing. Instead of doing him bad, he forgave him and did him good, exceedingly good! 

All you need is to do is to wait for the birthday or anniversary of some one who did you wrong or whom you did wrong and instead of revenging you pay back. Now sometimes those who have been hurt want to fight back but why, be the first to reconcile. You will prolong your life or walk in divine health when you walk in forgiveness instead of grudges. 

Forgiveness helps you by releasing you from the bonds unforgiveness creates. In fact your offering and prayers cannot be accepted or answered except unforgiveness is dealt with. 

Call the person or text them how you have forgiven them. If the negative feelings towards them still exist, maybe you haven't forgiven them completely. If you cannot approach them at least say it under your breath or out loud, at least God is your witness. Tell a friend how you have forgiven the other person and let them hold you accountable. 

In my life I have had many opportunities to walk in unforgiveness but I didn't take them. Why I know that it will affect me or my ministry in one way or the other. It's good to act like a child. To take things lightly the things done to you- although you need to mark those who have done them and learn how to deal with them wisely next time. After forgiveness and reconciliation, restoring the relationship as it was may not happen although love should prevail. Take for instance you don't return the money I gave you once, how can I give you some more when you need some more at another time? I forgave you but I learnt that I cannot trust you with money. No wonder the world seeks records of previous dealings to prove your faithfulness. 

 

In all the key point is to forgive. Forgiveness is an act the Holy Spirit can help you do. Ask Him for help in doing so. 

EK