Virtue of the Week

 

Forgiveness

 

 

INSIGHT

As believers, we know when we repent, God forgives us. 1 John 1:19 We should turn from sin completely, flee it and run toward Jesus.  Walking in light, not darkness.  Putting on a new self, taking off the old. Eph 4:22-24  Being a disciple that makes disciples, following His commands.  Tough commands to follow are those involving our relationships, forgiving those who have hurt us, abandoned us, left us broken, and bitter.  Wow... kinda sounds like what humans did to Jesus, what his closest friends did when Jesus was arrested...  There are so many verses related to overcoming our flesh and living in the spirit.  "Bear with one another, and if one has a complaint against another, forgive each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also MUST forgive." Col 3:13

"Do not judge and you will not be judged. Do not condemn and you will not be condemned.  Forgive and you will be forgiven."  Luke 6:37

"Peter asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'"  Matt 18:21-22

And this... this found in Matthew 6:15, "But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."  Wow....  We cant come to the altar without first forgiving our brother.  Guys... we have to leave that bitterness at the cross.  The cross.. at the cross there is healing.  Forgiveness that is beyond our human flesh, directly from the Spirit of God.  If you struggle with forgiving someone in your life today, I urge you to lay it at His feet.  Follow His Word, forgive.