Why Forgiveness?

Why Forgiveness is Important.

Jesus is clearly the son of God. Emmanuel Jesus   (God on Earth or God among us). Jesus lived thirty-three years on this planet to show us the way of salvation. To show us that the entire human race could be saved from Satan’s grasp, lies, and condemnation.

Don’t Believe the Lie

Satan wants you to believe that either you or someone else has committed such a horrible act that God would never allow you, or that other person who wronged you, into heaven. You feel unworthy or your sin could never be cleansed; “…not me, not after I did that!”

Jesus was among us for many reasons, One of which was to bear the entire brunt of our sins against God. No matter how “good” you are or how many “good” things you do, without accepting Him you are condemned. Jesus said, “…none come to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). Humans are an imperfect race. We make mistakes, we make decisions based on the facts our imperfect human brains can comprehend. There is absolutely no possible way we as a people can fathom all facets of a problem. Because we are imperfect mistakes are made, on the job, with our spouse, with our children, even with how we treat Jesus our Savior.

Overcome

Let’s say you were born with less than stellar parents who posses poor moral character. However, through God’s Grace, you were, in your young life, introduced to The Holy Spirit. Your parents however unknowingly allowed harm to come to you. This harm changed you, hurt you and affected every aspect of your life. Bitterness sets in, anger builds and morphs into resentment and even hatred.

In order to survive emotionally (and for some physically) you remove yourself from the toxic, harmful, and hurtful environment. All this time you know God is there, Jesus is at the ready, but you hold The Holy Spirit at arm’s length because of your pain. Be very careful. That is exactly what Satan wants you to do. Anger, resentment, hatred all the emotions that go with unforgiveness builds a wall of isolation between you and the loving God that created you.

Don’t Separate from God

Satan wants you alone, he doesn’t want you around other people (that would be Godly people) who could strengthen you. The liar of this world wants you to think you are not worthy, that Jesus could never accept you like this.  Very, Very, Very wrong!. This is exactly the time when Jesus cries out to you to come to Him. Ask for His forgiveness and accept the fact He loves you. Equally important you must forgive yourself.

Jesus forgave all the people involved in His crucifixion. In fact the punishment that was given was so severe Christ Himself paid the penalty for ALL mankind, for all who love Him and confess He is the Son of God, forgiveness is there.

The Tough Part

This may be the most difficult thing you may have to do as a Christian, forgiving others. The hurt may still be there, the pain is still fresh. This is a journey that must be made. Earlier we spoke of the “less than stellar” parents. As you grow into an adult you have the choice of internalizing the things that went wrong or taking those events and learning from them. You have a choice; pain or forgiveness. One must process the hurt you were given, working it out with the ones who hurt you, talking with your pastor, or maybe even talking with a trained Christian counselor. In any event, the healing process must take place. God is with you.

Jesus is the only person who walked this Earth and led a totally sinless life. He committed absolutely no crime against God. He spent His life serving others, healing, teaching, counseling, doing the will of His Father, and leading others to God through redemption and forgiveness of sins.

In spite of this, we as a people, were blinded by sin and Satan’s lies about God so much so that the very Son of God was captured, whipped, tortured, forced to wear a crown of thorns, carry His own cross, nailed to that cross, and then crucified until His spirit was given up to God the Father in Heaven. The Son of God, Jesus, did nothing wrong. He did not deserve any of this. If any person had the right to be angry it was Him and yet Jesus Christ in His infinite Godly wisdom through this act loved us enough to accept the punishment for all mankind.

Forgive as Jesus Did

Christ forgave us for our sins. Jesus wants us to forgive others as He forgives us. If we don’t we close off a vital gift God has set out for us. It will interfere with the blessing He has in store for us, and yes I personally know how difficult this is. My parents left much to be desired where children were concerned. I pray every day for the strength of God’s teaching to guide me and others through this process. I am attaching a link to an outside article sponsored by Focus on the Family. My relationship with God became stronger because of the information I received from these articles.

My prayers are with you. I pray you find strength in this story, may it help repair your relationship with the one(s) who hurt you and your relationship with God. Amen.