Wednesday, October 21, 2015

But I don't want to

Anyone who has ever been in any sort of relationship knows that forgiveness is essential to the health of a relationship. 

I've noticed there are two things that keep us from forgiving others. 

First, we don't know how to forgive.

Second, we don't want to forgive.

I can help you if you don't know how to forgive. It's not easy, but it is a pretty simple process of canceling the debt that someone owes you. 

If you just don't want to forgive, well, I can't help you. 

But I will remind you of a few things Scripture says to those of us who are Christians about forgiveness. 

We are commanded to forgive. Colossians 3:13 says: 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Meaning, if you refuse to forgive you are being disobedient. 

Jesus warns us about not wanting to forgive in Matthew 6: 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Maybe that will motivate you to develop the habit of forgiveness. It sure motivates me.

One more thing: Refusing to forgive ends up hurting the one who refuses to forgive more than it hurts anybody else. Why would you do that to yourself? 

May God grant you favor as you develop the habit of forgiveness. 



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