Have you forgiven that person?

"But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."                                  Matthew 6:15  NKJV

There are people reading this today who have held a grudge against someone for ages - maybe years. Ask yourself, ''Isn't it about time that I forgave ..............?' When we live our lives

 in such a way, we are holding ourselves back. The person you are holding the grudge against probably doesn't even know what they have done to you and, are getting on with their lives. Alternatively, they may know and don't care but, that is there problem not yours. As long as you forgive them and release them from the grip that they have over you, that is ok. God will deal with them.

When we fail to forgive others, it is forever on our minds and it leads to bitterness because at the time we couldn't change things and, we definitely can't change it today. This person may have left the country. They may have died; if so, it is impossible to let them off the hook, isn't it? No, it's not. If they're not around any longer, you can still say to God that you wholeheartedly forgive them and then leave it with Him. What you are doing is setting yourself free from the pain and bitterness that has been rotting inside of you for possibly years.

Bitterness, is a strong emotion and if you allow it the space, it will fester and cause you lots of problems. You will never be free from it unless, you release it by forgiveness. The only place bitterness can live, is in your memory. The only power it can have over you, is the power that you give it. Did you get that? You have the power and ability to put it to rest by stop feeding it all the time. If you don't, it will rob you of every blessing that God wants to give you. You will continue to wallow in the mud of unforgiveness, sinking further and further until you are swallowed up. What will you say if when you die, you stand before Jesus and He asks you about this - because He will? His word is clear, 'neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.' That is a dangerous place to be!

The Lord's Prayer says in v10 'Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.' The main thing that Jesus did for each of us was, to die in our place and take our sins upon Himself. How then, can we ever keep hold of sin, our's or anyone else's? 

Probably it is time for all of us to look within ourselves and decide whether we need to forgive someone and set them free - even though they may not know of this - and set ourselves free from the burden of it all. It makes sense, don't you think? You will then be doing God's will - His will, will be done on earth.

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:

'Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.

In Jesus' Name. Amen'

Copyright 2024 Grahame Howard.                                

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