I have often read phrases like ” forgive for your own good“… or forgive for the burden is yours so lighten up yourself” These phrases sound good and factual but I have always felt uncomfortable reading or hearing them. I used to wonder if that’s the reason God asked us to forgive those who hurt us.

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 NKJV

Note that it says even as God in Christ forgave us…

How did God forgive us? Jesus paid the price for our sin by shedding his blood(Heb 9:22) and by faith in this sacrifice we receive forgiveness. If someone does not receive this forgiveness, he/she struggles to fellowship with God.

Now let’s transpose this with our relationship with one another; ….when a brother hurts another it is important that he forgives his brother not only for his peace of mind or good but also for the good of the one who hurt him so that real fellowship is restored. The one who hurt his brother must acknowledge the hurt and receive the forgiveness for a genuine fellowship.

Sometimes a brother makes light of a hurt and dismisses the forgiveness as unnecessary and still expects the hurt brother to “move on”…..this is not right.

In summary what I am saying is that;

1. Forgiveness is not only for the forgiver but also for the forgiven.

2. The forgiven has to acknowledge and receive forgiveness for genuine fellowship to be restored

3. It is pertinent that we let the one who has hurt us know and that we have forgiven (let’s not bottle it up and pray it will go away). It’s up to the forgiven to receive it or not.

The sin of one man (Adam) brought sin and death to all mankind (1 Corinthians 15:22), but through Christ’s death resurrection and life were made available to all mankind (1 Corinthians 15: 21).

The cross ensured  forgiveness of sins,  reconciliation of man to God and restoration of  the relationship between man and God. A relationship that cannot be severed by sin, however, an intimacy that cannot be experienced where sin exists. That’s what Isaiah talked about in Isaiah 59: 1-2;

“Surely the arm of The Lord is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.”

Cry out to The Lord while you can. For the great day of The Lord comes, when it will be too late to fully enjoy Christ’s offering; the offering of Himself as an atonement for sin.

Zephaniah 1, just like Isaiah 59 tells us about the great day of The Lord;

“The great day of The Lord is near- near and coming quickly. The cry on the day of The Lord is bitter; the Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry. That day will be a day of wrath-a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, a day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the corner towers.” Zephaniah 1: 14-16.

Don’t become proficient at blowing off your sins, giving excuses that will not excuse you from God’s wrath. Do not let your conscience become seared and unresponsive to God’s prodding by His Spirit.

Give Your Life to Jesus Christ Today.

You do not have to spend eternity in Hell. Jesus’ death ensured Hell didn’t become your abode in eternity. God provided full, complete, eternal pardon for sin because of Christ’s death. You are only assured of a shelter in Heaven in eternity if you receive God’s free gift to you- Jesus Christ!

Accept Jesus Christ today into your life as your Lord and Saviour.

You just say this short and simple prayer;

Dear God,

I ask in the Name of Jesus Christ that you forgive my sins. I believe in my heart that Christ died for my sins and you raised Him up from the dead just to save me. Lord Jesus Christ, I receive you as my Lord and Saviour today.  I declare today that I belong to Christ and none other. Thank you for hearing  and answering me, in Jesus name. Amen. 

Congratulations if you just said that prayer. And welcome to the family of Jehovah.

You must be baptized by water by immersion and you must be filled with the Holy Ghost.  You can be told how to experience these when you attend a bible-believing church. You may contact me also.

Happy Resurrection Week!  🙂

My love always