Three Reasons Why We Must Forgive
"...we often misunderstand forgiveness as not letting the wrongdoer free. In reality, forgiving lets your very own self free! Forgiveness is emancipating."
Let’s admit it. We all have been hurt whether mildly or significantly. But have we forgiven all those who have wronged us? If someone accidentally steps on us, it would probably take us less than a minute to forgive them and move on with our life. But what if someone steps on us causing our toes to break? Would forgiveness be so freely given then?
I have been hurt before. I felt tricked and
taken advantage of. Above all, I was angry. As I had decided not to forgive the person,
I felt uneasy whenever something good happened to them. It bothered me to see
that they could move on with their lives without feeling bad about their
hurtful actions. My heart could generate all sorts of negativity from that
experience, but I am eternally grateful that God saved me through His words
about the importance of forgiveness on my spiritual journey. Here are three
reasons why forgiveness is a bigger deal than what you might think:
1. Grudge Hinders Our
Relationship with God
Unwillingness
to forgive can lead to bearing grudges. Grudges cause bitterness that hardens
our hearts in our work of faith and labor of love, which could result in a
broken relationship with God. Matthew 6:14-15 says, “For if you forgive other
people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive your
sins.” These verses clearly reflect how important it is in God’s view, for us
to forgive one another. Being able to forgive those who have wronged us is what
we should constantly strive to achieve in our spiritual journey as Jesus’
disciples. We grow spiritually step by step yet we are grateful that God
constantly sustains us through His grace as we fight through our spiritual
battle to live a holy life. So be willing to forgive, and God will shape you
according to His will.
2. Forgiveness Is A Powerful
Thing
To be able and willing to forgive others
shows that God’s grace is working in us. The joy of forgiveness overflows as
God’s love softens our hearts. It is an indescribable experience unless you go
through it yourself. The story of Joseph who was sold by his brothers to the
slavery in Egypt is a great example of the power and beauty of forgiveness.
Joseph was crying tears of joy when he hugged his brothers, without holding any
grudge of their wrongdoings. It is extraordinary how God’s love works through
forgiveness to break us free from the chains that harden our hearts. A lot of
times, we often misunderstand forgiveness as not letting the wrongdoer free. In
reality, forgiving lets your very own self free! Forgiveness is emancipating.
3. We Are To Forgive Others
as God Has Forgiven You
Hebrews
8:12 says, “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and
their lawless deeds. I will remember no more.” God has forgiven all our sins from the past.His unending love is proven by the death of His only son on the Cross.
We
believe that we are to live according to the examples led by Him, and one of
them is to forgive others who sin against us. To forgive lets His image and
likeness become revealed through our actions – one of our purposes life in this world. After
all, even the Almighty God - the Creator
of the whole universe - has forgiven us from our sins, who are we to not
forgive others who wrong us?
Forgiveness is unfair. One of the parties
involved is bound to be disadvantaged as they forgive. Yet Jesus showed the
greatest example of bearing the disadvantage - sacrificing His own life so our
sins can be forgiven. Jesus did it all out of unending love.
He loves us and He will enable us to forgive others with his love.
I
have been struggling with forgiveness and have come to the come
to the admission that forgiveness is not easy. It is an ongoing and repetitive
process. Whenever you fail at forgiving others, admit it to God and constantly
talk to Him about the struggle because He cares. It is also helpful to have an
accountable partner or community whom you can talk about this with.
Remember
how God has forgiven us from our sins over and over again, and remember how
much God wants us to forgive others. Forgiveness hurts, but in the end it is a
very liberating action.
"Bearing grudges only hurts you. Forgiveness forgives you, releases you." - Leo Buscaglia
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