The one thing we need from the Lord to begin a new life is forgiveness. In order to be made whole; forgiveness. In order to be made new; forgiveness. In order to begin again-stronger, smarter, and free from the bondage in which we used to live; we need forgiveness.
The same goes for our human relationships. We all have been hurt or hurt someone, causing a crack in our heart that will only get worse. Sometimes we choose to live in past betrayals, whether unintentional or purposeful, leaving us unable to let it go; unable to move on. Remember that we don't forgive because others deserve it, let God deal with that one. Forgiveness is because God wants us to be like Him, and to have peace...
The word forgive is mentioned 56 times in the Bible. 21 times in the New Testament. In Matthew 6:12, and Luke 11:4 during the Lord's instruction on how to pray, He says to forgive others as He forgives us. Think about this, do you want the Lord to wait until 'someday' to forgive you, or to forgive you when you ask? Or would you like Him to say 'Ok, I forgive you,' but hold a grudge against you? Do you want Him to be always bringing up your past wrong, never forgetting it? How about if He just refuses to speak or to listen to you so that you cannot confess your sin to Him? Is that what you want? That is not who He is, or who He wants his children to be!
Or do you want Him to forgive you completely, hiding-covering your sin as David states in Ps. 85:2? Micha 7:19 assures us that ...God will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea... Psalm 103:12 expresses the thought in yet another way: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” That is how He forgives, and how He wants us to forgive one another as well. He is our example and our guide. In Ephesians 4:31-32 Paul exhorts the people “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour (screaming or crying out), and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” Do you want Christ's forgiveness, or are you enjoying hanging on to your anger and bitterness too much to let it go therefore forfeiting His forgiveness? He gives us the choice. Give yourself the gift of forgiveness!
We must be careful to pay attention to the progression of our thoughts, assertively resisting anything that would not be pleasing to our Lord. Satan's influence over our thoughts is powerful yet unseen; our worst enemy. But friend, God's power is greater! We can rely on Him to assist us in resisting the devil's plan of not becoming like our Father. Satan does not want us to have peace, God does! Satan does not want us to be mentally and emotionally healthy with joy in our life, but God does! We must fight against Satan's influence by using the scriptures God has given us. We must put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6: 10-13) for our battle. The one offensive weapon we can use to cut to ribbons Satan’s attitudes and philosophies which can easily become ours is the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). Indeed, all the elements of the armor of God are listed in this chapter, so it is vital that we be studying and meditating on the Bible regularly. Although it takes some effort and discipline to read, study, meditate, and grow our relationship with God, it is very much worth it!
Again, the choice is yours.
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