By: David S. Harkins
Forgiveness, forgiveness, even if even if you don't love me any more. So starts another rock song of the 70's. Now what exactly is forgiveness?
Webster’s online dictionary gives this definition for the word forgive:
“To cease to feel resentment against (an offender) : pardon <forgive one's enemies>” and further states that forgiveness is the ability to forgive.
Now from this information we can conclude that forgiveness is a very important action and concept to embrace.
Just, today, I had the pleasure and good fortune to be a participant in a Bible based study which focused on this word and this concept. It was very informative and uplifting and gave me much to ponder for the rest of the day. From that study springs this little article. I hope that this amalgamation of words into the thoughts that was spurred in me from this interaction and the working of the Spirit on me in this meeting and on into the day that I am attempting to put on paper will also affect you in a positive and reflective and introspective way.
Just like the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ can set you free, the application of true forgiveness can set you free from all malice and hate and internal conflict in your life. I hope that I can show you that in this short paper.
“To ere is human and to forgive is divine.” And so goes the old saying. However, I want to assert that man has a mandate from God himself to forgive and that God the Almighty and all wise and Awesome God who through and in His Only Son, showed mercy and grace to all when He forgave the great debt and the multitude and totality of all sin that man and therefore you and I of all of our sins that we have committed and therefore carry within us until we come in contact with the Blood of Jesus and only when we let Him let us totally release ourselves of all guilt and totally forgive ourselves for being ourselves, that is sinful persons who can never measure up to God the truly perfect being who forgave us all at the Cross and partake of the loving kindness and mercy and unmerited favor and completely imbibe the true essence of that great release of true love and compassion into our souls and our psyche so that we can learn how to truly forgive everyone else in the world that has wronged us or slighted us or annoyed us or truly cut us to the quick. Then and only then will we feel the peace that passes understanding and be one with God in this respect.
Forgiveness is more than a state of mind. It is active good will and true compassionate actions directed towards anyone who has trespassed against us especially our enemies. Why else would Jesus say, “Love your enemies and pray for them that despitefully use you.” There is no need to forgive someone who has not trespassed against you or to forgive anyone who owes you no debt. Anyone can love and like someone that loves and likes them back and who has not crossed them, but love demands that we forgive everyone that has hurt or taken advantage of us whether it be our spouse, child, relative, friend, business partner or our most grievous and malicious enemy.
God knew that to ere is human and that man has and does and will struggle with this truth as long as this earth revolves around the sun and that we as humans can only reach a state of true contentment and peace when we learn the mind of God and love one another as ourselves. “For God so loved the world (that hated Him) that He gave His only Begotten Son that he that believes on Him should not perish.” Would you give up and part with your only son or daughter and sacrifice them for any person who has hurt you or for anyone that has despised you or used you? Think about Lot who was willing to offer his lovely daughters up to the wicked mob to be carnally assaulted and used to protect the special visitors. Now Lot was willing to sacrifice to those who hated him for the One that can and did save him from eternal destruction. What a price for flirting with evil.
In order to be at peace with our selves and to be at peace with all men as much as is in us, we must forgive everyone, including ourselves, of every wrong and not hold it to their account, as Jesus taught us in the disciples’ prayer, “Forgive us our debts (and they are grievous and insurmountable) as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Remember, the first person you owe true forgiveness to, is yourself.
Truly learn to forgive and feel the release of love within you and be at Peace; the Peace that Passes Understanding!
God loves you. He forgave you, now forgive yourself and everyone else that has hurt you and used you and strive lawfully for the prize of the high calling of God.
dsh
By: David S. Harkins d.b.a. “TheStoryTeller”