Forgiveness Means Letting Go

Week of May 4, 2020

Text: Ephesians 4:32

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Forgiveness literally means to let go. It can be hard sometimes to let go of things that have hurt us and forgive people that have hurt us.

However, Jesus does not give us the option whether we should forgive based on how we feel about it. No, we have been commanded to forgive.

But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 6:15

Many people believe that forgiveness is a feeling we have about someone who has hurt us. However, forgiveness is not a feeling we have it is a decision we make to be obedient to God’s word. Forgiveness means we no longer hold that debt against the person who hurt us. When we hold on to unforgiveness it does not hurt the person who offended us. It only hurts us.

Unforgiveness hurts us because it separates us from God. Unforgiveness is a sin. It is a sin because we are commanded to forgive by our Father because He has forgiven us.

Praying for the person who hurt us and asking God to bless them and forgive them helps our hearts to heal.

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:43-45

We find when we pray for our enemies, our heart changes toward that person. Are you having problems forgiving someone who hurt you? Pray for them.

May the God of peace guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

XXOO, Nancy