Matthew 18:35 (KJV)
So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Unforgiveness refers to the lack of forgiveness; it is the inability of a person to let go of offenses and offenders from the heart. The weight and severity of holding onto bitterness and resentment are highlighted in the aforementioned biblical verse. Although the king forgave the debt of a servant who could not afford to pay, he refused to be patient with his fellow servant, who also owed him. Instead, he cast this fellow servant into prison. This attitude made the king so angry that he handed him over to the tormentors and charged them to torment him until he could pay his debt. The parallels between Jesus’ parable and our own lives are striking. God is the King, and we are the first servants burdened with an impossible debt of sin. The second servant represents our fellow Christians or any other person, and their much smaller debt is a sin or sins they’ve committed against us. It’s important to acknowledge that the sin committed against us by others is not insignificant. It is natural, causes pain, and can be difficult to bear. However, through forgiveness and love, we can overcome these challenges and find peace. We should, therefore, not find it difficult to forgive those who offend us, knowing that if God had not forgiven us, we would have been in a sorry state. Having been relieved of our heavy load of sin through forgiveness, let us also forgive at all times.
Forgiveness is a mandate for Christians; no one can profess to be a genuine Christian and not live a lifestyle of forgiveness. Forgiveness is a condition for us to make Heaven. Forgiveness is a choice. It is a deliberate act of will, motivated by obedience to God and His command to forgive(Lk. 17:3-4) and a precondition to receive forgiveness from Him. Forgiveness is sometimes challenging, especially when the offense comes from someone very close. Forgiveness may be painful and costly, but Jesus felt every nail and every thorn. That often justifies holding a grudge. However, every time an offense comes our way, know that it is a strategy from the pit of hell to destroy our prayer life and other things. A genuinely forgiving spirit understands this and finds inspiration in the possibility of a positive outcome, for good can come from unfortunate situations. Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” As we have enjoyed forgiveness from God, we must also love and forgive others! Forgiveness is not something we do for others; it is what we do for ourselves to help us go forward. Alexander Pope once said, “To err is human; to forgive is divine.” When we refuse to forgive, it cuts us off the stream of forgiveness God so longs to give us. Matthew 18:7 says, “Woe unto the world because of offenses! For it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh!”
Beloved, don’t fall into this trap of unforgiveness. Ignore people who bring offenses into your life and move on. Refuse to live in bitterness; release offenders from the prison of your heart. The bigger your destiny, the more you have to forgive. Let go of what is behind to lay hold of what is ahead. Very importantly, don’t let the devil use you as a tool to offend others. Repent if you have caused anybody pain. Be different from those who have mastered setting traps for others. You will not be guiltless. Be careful not to go around intentionally sowing seeds of offense in other people’s lives. Jesus clarified that a life without limitation, hindrance, stumbling block, or temptation is impossible. But anyone who hinders, obstructs, tempts, or leads others to sin is cursed by God. Jesus also said great sorrow awaits them, so it would have been better if they were not born. All those behind your problems in life shall run into the wrath of the Almighty God in Jesus’ Name. Be a joy-giver and not offend people. Promote happiness and not bitterness! I prophesy the grace and the spirit of forgiveness upon you in Jesus’ Name. Take time today to ask God to help you in your journey towards grace and forgiveness with others. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring any grudge in your heart to light. Remember, the devil will always use the people close to you to offend you.
O LORD, help me to have a forgiving heart. I receive the grace to forgive every offender in my life in Jesus’ Name.