They purposefully hurt one another; however, there was a time that they promised to love one another with intentional kindness and care. The problem between them began when one could not forgive the other. The thing is . . . neither would say that the lack of forgiveness was the issue but rather the “wrong” behavior of one another.
Forgiving someone is complicated and always takes work. Even so, the act of forgiveness is simple: let go of an offense. Have you noticed that it seems easier to hang onto an offense rather than to let go?
Jesus came to show us how to live . . . praying for forgiveness . . . in alignment with the action of forgiving others.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven
( left, remitted, and let go of the debts, and have given up resentment against)
our debtors. (Matthew 6:12)
Forgiveness is not about the offense but about the one who can let go of the offense. When we live in a state of forgiving others, we can receive forgiveness from God.
For if you forgive others when they sin against you,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (Matthew 6:14)
If, we refuse to forgive others, we are refusing the forgiveness of God. Why? Our heart is not in a state of forgiveness . . . to give or receive. How do we shift from a state of hurt and maybe even hate to a state of forgiveness? We must let go of the offense committed against us . . . regardless of how wrong or horrific the action seemed.
your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matthew 6:15)
Forgiveness requires consciously detaching from an offense. The Greek translation of forgive is "aphiemi," derived from "apo," suggesting separation and "hiemi," which is to put into motion and send. Thus, forgiving is active separation as we detach from the offense—letting it go—sending it away from self.
Is it possible to truly forgive the offenders who commit intentional, destructive, life-changing offenses against us? According to Jesus in Matthew 6:12 , forgiveness is part of our relationship with God: forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven.
Forgiveness does not require the offender to change and it does not change the offense against us. Forgiveness requires a change within us. We must choose to detach and let go of the offense and send it away from our life. Forgiveness liberates us from the burden and power of the offense, freeing us to experience the forgiveness of God.
Worship:
Pray: You have freed me through forgiveness. Give me the power to let go of the harm, hurt, and even hate I have from those who have wronged me. I surrender.
Live in a state of forgiveness.
Refuse to hang on to what needs to be let go.
Respond: Let go and be free every day.
Learning with you to KICK START the day
. . . intentionally forgiving,
Pastor Kerrie
Pastor Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2009 All Rights Reserved)
kpalmer@hillchurch.com ~Church on the Hill~700 N. Hill Rd.~McMinnville, OR 97128~503.472.8476 ~www.hillchurch.com~ Kick Start Your Day
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