Author	Thread: Devotional - The True Power Of Forgiveness
Admin	Devotional - The True Power Of Forgiveness Posted : 21 Jun, 2009 04:48 PM True Forgiveness: Willingly giving up the right to punish someone, even when they deserve it. The maligned view that extending forgiveness equates to weakness stems from an unhealthy understanding of what forgiveness really is. Forgiveness always costs somebody something, but we see it as weakness when the underlying truth is we simply don�t want to be the one paying. Harboring unforgiveness is no different than drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. Medical evidence proves that holding onto resentment can actually destroy your health because those negative emotions release deadly toxins into your body over time. You weren't built to carry the stress that goes with holding onto a grudge! Furthermore, the very bridge you destroy with unforgiveness is the exact same bridge you�ll one day have to cross. The Bible has much to say about forgiveness. In Genesis 33:1-4, Esau forgives his younger brother Jacob for stealing his birthright. Esau's birthright was an inheritance that entitled him to a double portion of their family's estate. In Hosea 3:1-5, the prophet Hosea forgives his unfaithful wife, Gomer. By doing so, Hosea sought reconciliation at the expense of his own humiliation. In Matthew 18:21-35, Jesus gives the parable of the unforgiving servant and tells us what to expect when we walk in unforgiveness. In Luke 15:11-32, Jesus shares the parable of the father who forgives his prodigal son. Several other verses speak to forgiveness as well: Matthew: 5:23-24 & 6:14-15; Luke: 6:37 & 17:3-4; II Corinthians 2:7, 10; Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 3:13. The common thread which weaves these verses together originates here: the power of forgiveness is the only power you have over anyone who hurts you. Forgiving sets both sides free from the negative bond that exists because when you forgive, you�re choosing to focus on what you can control, namely yourself. Are you tied to the past through the umbilical cord of unforgiveness? When you forgive, you sever that cord. A refusal to forgive keeps you tied to a memory that can hurt you for the rest of your life because the root of unforgiveness is pride. It's that very same pride that refuses to let offenses go unpunished. I can tell you that these principles work, not only because I've studied them in the Bible but because I've also had to apply them in my own life. Thanks be to God that the frustration I maintained toward my dad is now an afterthought. If I could yell it from the rooftops, I would proudly testify: the power of forgiveness is refreshingly liberating! Food for Thought 1) Have you given Christ complete control of your life so that you too may walk in the true power of forgiveness? 2) Who came to mind as you read this message? (sidebar: Don't fight against it. If God is �bothering� you about a specific person or situation, that�s an area He wants to grow YOU in.) 3) How can exhibiting forgiveness become your norm and not your exception? "Never does the human soul appear so strong and noble as when it forgoes revenge and dares to forgive an injury." - E.H. Chapin Post Reply
ian777 View Profile History	Devotional - The True Power Of Forgiveness Posted : 21 Jun, 2009 05:52 PM Good post man; thanks for sharing. Ian Post Reply
slj3_1 View Profile History	Devotional - The True Power Of Forgiveness Posted : 21 Jun, 2009 07:00 PM Only someone who has went through it could write a post like that! Really good. I had to call a sister in the Lord and ask her to forgive me after 2 or 3 years had past. The thing is-- it was eating me up alive and she didn't even remember it!!!! You know you have truly forgiven when, even in the next heated disagreement, you don't mention it. Be Blessed, Sandy Post Reply
View Profile History	Devotional - The True Power Of Forgiveness Posted : 23 Jun, 2009 02:11 AM A brother who was insulted by another brother came to the Abba, and said to him, �I was hurt Abba by my brother, and I wish to avenge myself.� The Abba tried to consul him and he said, �Do not do this my child rather leave vengeance to God.� But he said, �I will not quit, until I avenge myself.� Then the Abba said, �Let us pray brother,� and standing up he proclaimed aloud, �Our Father forgive us our trespasses just as we do not forgive those who trespass against us.� And hearing these words the brother fell at the feet of the teacher and said, �I am not going to fight with my brother anymore, forgive me my dear father.�� Post Reply