"Let there be no more resentment, no more anger or temper, no more violent self-assertiveness, no more slander, and no more malicious remarks, Be kind to each other, be understanding. Be as ready to forgive others as God, for Christ’s sake, has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32 Phillips
"True freedom with healing will only come when you accept and give forgiveness."
Too often, people will use many tools to avoid forgiving. They may use the hammer of justification. Or the muffler of minimizing the offense. Or the rose-colored glasses of denial.
As followers of Jesus, unless we forgive others, we will only lengthen our chains, not have them broken to live in true freedom.
Until we forgive others, we will still be bound by the chains of:
Resentment
Anger
Temper
Self-Justification
Slander
Acidic Remarks
Unkindness
Once we forgive, we are free from the tether of yesterday and the fear of tomorrow.
Remember, like love, forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling. We have the ministry of reconciliation and are brokers of forgiveness.
What tools are you using to avoid forgiving someone?
Who are you choosing not to forgive?
How would your life and the lives of others be different through forgiveness?
Lord, just as we receive our daily bread for our living bodies, may we give and receive forgiveness for our souls. Please find us daily with clean plates so that we may enjoy the fullness of our relationship with You and others. Amen