Forgiveness
Read: Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
People and relationships are usually what we think about when it comes to forgiveness, but what about things out of our control, like the denominations, institutions, businesses, cities, and even countries that have hurt you? Our hearts freeze up at false accusations, discrimination, unfair regulations, fallen preachers, battling congregations, corrupt politicians, and a million other injustices and crimes and the people who commit them.
Tolerance and forgiveness are not the same. The idea of “live and let live” is far from forgiveness. Forgiveness is release. You cannot carry the weight of the wrongs you have suffered or the evils of the world. Forgiveness is not kissing evil on the cheek and saying all is well. It is giving it all, being specific, over to God, and that way, you’re kicking away the evil others have done to you and the evil in the world and releasing it from its stronghold over you.
Unforgiveness is like gangrene in your soul. Undiagnosed, it spreads through your brain and every part of you. Don’t be afraid to forgive your enemies. They won’t be any less guilty.
When Jesus was on earth, he offered and taught forgiveness for all of humanity. He even forgave his murderers. The only one he rejected was Satan, and you reject Satan when you release yourself from the grip of unforgiveness. Unforgiveness robs you of blessings, healing, and even answered prayer.
Adapted from the devotional 7 Meditations on the Promises of God
