Why Forgive?

[Ncdataman]

Why Forgive?

Then Peter came to him and asked, "Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?"

— Matthew 18:21


Talk about a person who had been wronged. Joseph's brothers had done all kinds of horrible things to him. They betrayed him, their own flesh and blood, and sold him into slavery.

But through an amazing course of events that were directed by the hand of God, Joseph became the second most powerful man in the world at that time in history.

One day, his brothers were brought before him—the very ones who had betrayed him. With one word, they could have become headless brothers. It could have been payback time for Joseph.
But I love what he said: "Don't be afraid of me. Am I God, to judge and punish you? As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people" (Genesis 50:19–20).

Did Joseph's brothers deserve to be forgiven? No. But if we resort to that kind of thinking, we must ask ourselves, "Do we deserve to be forgiven by God?" No. So we should forgive as God has forgiven us.

There is no point in burying the hatchet if you're determined to mark the site. Let it go. Forgive. Forget. Put it behind you. Move forward.

If you refuse to forgive people who have wronged you, then you will become a bitter person. The problem with bitterness is that it infects those around you (see Hebrews 12:14–15).

If someone has sinned against you, you must learn to forgive. I know it is not an easy thing to do. But when you forgive someone, you release a prisoner—yourself.

from Harvest

 

[rizen1]

If you refuse to forgive people who have wronged you, then you will become a bitter person. The problem with bitterness is that it infects those around you (see Hebrews 12:14–15).

Imprisonment......sums up the word unforgiveness for me.

But when you forgive someone, you release a prisoner—yourself.

Amen.

 

[Fragrant Grace]

I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Heb 8:12

How gracious is our beautiful Lord Jesus, He not only forgives but remembers our sins no more. O for a more Christlike forgiving compassionate heart.

Be ye kind one to another,tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you Ephesians 4:32

Julia

 

[Pocahontas]

It is very hard to forgive those who have wronged you. It is easy to say you forgive, but hard to really feel like you have in your heart. I told someone (years ago)who had really hurt me, that I forgave them. Come to find out I really didn't, and in my heart I felt the anger, bitterness and disappointment. Only now, am I trying (and I use the word TRYING) to forgive that person as well as others. It is true, I want God to forgive me for all I have done, so I must swallow the anger and forgive...like God forgave us all for our sins.
Very nice post, gave me a lot to think about!
God Bless,
Poca

 

[Fragrant Grace]

For the Lord God will help me Isaiah 50:7

Dear Pocahontas

I agree it can be so easy to forgive outwardly in front of the world...but to hold unforgiveness in your heart. I have struggled with this.
I find that if I ask the Lord to fill me with His love and make it burn within me in compassion for the person I find it hard to forgive...then He in His infinite power and mercy provides the grace for me to forgive.

I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me Phil 4:13

God bless you

Julia