“Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. {Ephesians 4:32}
The treatment we give to others can impact our life’s just as much as theirs. We have the ability to forgive and experience the fullness of God. God freely forgives us and gives us eternal life, but He also expects us to love and forgive others. We have to love God, love ourselves, and love others.
Our world is so judgmental and we find ourselves not focusing on the good, or our spiritual walk and we focus more on the failings of others. That sometimes leaves us feeling empty and having fear. When we let go of judgment and and live in the grace that freed us, we can move pass the negative and focus on the good.
Our natural tendency is to treat others the way they treat us, but not everyone is going to treat you well. Look to God in those situations and ask Him to give you a good attitude and handle it like He would. God gives you all good things and He wants the best for you. You might not realize why something is happening in the moment, but He plans out everything and in His time He will show you the way.
Forgiveness can be so hard sometimes. When we refuse to forgive people, that normally means we still want something from them. Refusing to forgive someone is why so many people get stuck in messy situations and don’t know which way to go. In those situations it’s better to receive grace from our great God and forgive the ones that mess up rather than letting the burden weigh us down. This will help end our suffering and fear of that person. If there is a toxic situation and we have been waiting for something in return we need to break off those ties and forgive. We will be free in forgiveness and have no more fear for our God will be with us.
Not giving forgiveness can create a bad life and reputation, but forgiveness can create a good, powerful life. We need to start watching out for the problems that will pull us back that rely us to only focus on the bad situations in the past. Forgiveness can be so powerful and when you don’t forgive it can strip you from seeing the good in your life.
If we ask God to forgive us, He will always. 1 John 1:9 states “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” He will then see us as new, and whatever we have done in the past will be put in the past. God loves you no matter what. No matter how big the lie is you tell, or how big the situation is. He loves you. The knowledge that we are forgiven and have a clean slate with our Lord is so powerful. We can stand upon solid ground, and give us a place to grow. We can ask God to forgive us now. If we turn to Him we will have a clean slate and our walk with Him will be so strong.
As Christians, we know that it’s important for our own hearts to forgive those who have hurt us. Here is the truth: you and I have been forgiven so much. Colossians 3:13 says “Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Would you like to be forgiven when you’ve made a mistake? Then forgive others when they make a mistake. Nobody’s perfect and we all mess up. As you deal with forgiving others, know that everyone has flaws and everyone makes mistakes. God calls us to love everyone and treat everyone we meet with love and joy.
You and I simply have no right to hold anything against anyone since we have been forgiven in everything. When we forgive, it can also set them free. That’s amazing. When we chose to forgive, we receive peace and freedom, but we also turn someone over to the Lord, which enables Him to work in them and turn entire situations around. That is so powerful and amazing.
Romans 3:23-24 says “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” The mercy of God allows us to have freedom and a relationship with Our Heavenly Father. The nature of forgiveness is mercy. You were saved by the greatest mercy. The Bible commands us to forgive others. If we are living with unforgiveness, we are living outside the will of God.
Trusting and obeying God is such an important key in our walk with Christ. God will lead you into His perfect plans, but He can’t lead you where you will not follow. Commit to following Him and trusting Him in every situation, even when it is hard or you don’t know what to do. Allow Him to work through you and you will see the abundance of Him. Our God is so good!!!
saved by grace 