WHAT FORGIVENESS IS AND IS NOT

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

To understand forgiveness we must realize what forgiveness is NOT:

· Forgiveness is not forgetting. Deep hurts can rarely be wiped out of one’s awareness.

· Forgiveness is not reconciliation. Reconciliation takes two persons, but an injured party can forgive an offender without reconciliation.

· Forgiveness is not condoning. Forgiveness does not necessarily excuse bad or hurtful behavior.

· Forgiveness is not dismissing. It involves taking the offense seriously, not passing it off as inconsequential or insignificant.

· Forgiveness is not a vague notion of ‘tolerance’. This is, at best, a low-grade parody of forgiveness. At worst, it’s a way of sweeping the real issues in life under the carpet.

· Forgiveness is not pardoning. A pardon is a legal transaction that releases an offender from the consequences of an action, such as a penalty.

Throughout the Old Testament we read that only God can forgive sins. We hear David exclaim, “He forgives all my sins…” (Psalm 103:3). We also see examples of human forgiveness—even in pain—like Joseph forgiving his brothers for selling him into slavery. Joseph gains true freedom. He then names his son Manasseh, “one who causes to be forgotten.”

In the New Testament we see Jesus, the Lamb of God, come into to the world to die for our sins. Through His shed blood we can once and for all receive ultimate forgiveness. This is the pure “gospel of grace.” This forgiveness is a gift. We do not deserve it but God, in His grace, reached out to provide forgiveness to a dying world.

Then we read in the verse above the impact of this on those of us who have received that forgiveness. Its ethical challenge parallels “love your enemies” and “pray for your persecutors.”

In the final analysis, forgiveness is an act of faith. By forgiving another, I am trusting that God is a better justice-maker than I am. By forgiving, I release my own right to get even and leave all issues of fairness for God to work out. I leave in God’s hands the scales that must balance justice and mercy. I simply forgive others and leave them to God.

RESPONSE: Today I will leave fairness and justice in God’s hands. I will obediently forgive others just as the Lord forgave me.

PRAYER: Lord, grant me the faith to trust You with the offenses committed against me. I will forgive.

Our Home of Value

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

– Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV)

It’s good that patriotism is alive and well in America. It’s an election year and we have just celebrated July 4th in the U.S. But the Scripture tells us that our allegiance is to another government—we are ultimately citizens of heaven. The freedom that we will experience from this earthen body will not come from any government on earth, but from our ultimate King, Jesus Christ. So rejoice in the nation that God has placed you in, but remember that you are called to be an ambassador for another ruler; Jesus Christ, who will come again.

Partial Sight

Sadly, many people lie awake at night, haunted by thoughts that other people don't like them, feeling they don't have a friend in the world. Amazingly though, on meeting these people in person, they are extremely likable. Why don't they think they're attractive to anyone else? Why do others see them as they do? I found one clue in Jesus' encounter with the man born blind. (Mark 8:22-26). When the man's sight was only partially restored by Jesus, he could see people, but they were like objects to him - like "trees walking." Only when his eyes were completely healed could he see people as being fully human...like himself. How often have you been hurt or even emotionally abused by someone treating you like an object;" a "means to an end" or someone who didn't deserve to be loved? One reason may be that their eyes aren't open. Even if they are Christian and have been partially restored, they still see people as no more than "trees walking." Pray for them. But meanwhile know,"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds - curing their pains and their sorrows...He will beautify the humble with salvation, and adorn the wretched with victory" (Psalms 147:3 and 149:4, AMP). Look up and see how much Jesus loves and takes pleasure in you. Then decide never again to be cast down by the opinions of unenlightened, partially-blinded men. Our Evening Prayer - Let's Pray Together… God loves you and wants to answer your prayer. Say this prayer with me: Heavenly Father, I hold up to You every hurt in my heart which has come from feeling unlovable or unloved. Restore the sight of all Your people, O God, and help us to see each other as You do...not as objects to be hurt or used, but as miraculous creations who all need each other to make it home to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

The revival message to fellow brethren

The last but not the least, I command you brethren to stand against all the works of the enemy. We are making nations see the goodness of the Lord Almighty in the works of the ministry. We also encourage brethren to stand with us in this hour of need. The more we talk of this, the more we remind you of the second coming of the son of man.

It’s our responsibility as brethren to know and make others know and remember this noble work of the gospel of the cross. It’s through prayer and fasting that we will see this come into reality. That’s why Paul once said that there are things that won’t happen until we go onto our knees. It’s our hope therefore that all who hears this will communicate the same to the others in our churches and areas. May the Almighty bless you all!