The Miracle of Forgiveness

I have been doing a lot of reading lately on the subject of forgiveness. The topic of forgiveness is so huge that is deserves a lot of study. The bible goes on and on about the subject and I believe it holds a key element to the concept of healing and overall everyday life to the believer.
The biblical word for forgiveness is a noun which most commonly is translated as a "release from bondage or imprisonment, a pardon of sins, and a remission of the penalty."
This concept is so vast because not only does Jesus practice forgiveness towards us but we are also told to practice forgiveness towards others.

I have also seen the word "forgiveness" tossed around by Christians as a sort of option or preference which can or cannot be practiced. As if it is an optional thing like purchasing a warranty with a new car, or super sizing a value meal. However, the more I grow and understand who God is and this whole Christian life, the more I see how crucial it is. Forgiveness is also used in prayers so casually when well meaning Christians often pray and ask God's help in forgiving someone. However, what we need to realize as Christians is forgiveness is a must. If someone really wants to grow close to the Lord they must forgive. It is an act of obedience, which is not based upon feelings or a sliding scale. It is merely one saying, Lord there is something blocking my relationship with you and others, and I forgive this person. It is simply agreeing with what God says on the issue and CHOOSING to do the right thing. One may not wait until the feelings of forgiveness are there, it is not a feeling which will come one day. If the antithesis is practiced, the feeling or lack thereof will get worse and worse and will actually prevent one from doing so.


It seems as though lately the more I read and study these things it's as if I have discovered a special secret, but the secret is so awesome I want to share it. I don't want to hide it for myself because I want others to realize the greatness of it too. This "secret" is so incredible because it doesn't appear to be a big revelation or new discovery. Forgiveness is all throughout the Bible and any Christian or non-Christian for that matter would testify to the concept of forgiveness because it is so common. However, it is amazing when God really opens your eyes, I mean really opens your eyes to something, to the point when it is as though you have experienced a new illumination which rocks your world.



This illumination was brought to me not too long ago when I began reading and seeking for God with all my heart. I mean really and truly. I hope this concept of forgiveness ministers to you in even the smallest way because I know it is so amazing.



The Facts:



People are constantly seeking God to find hope and healing for their cares, concerns, and lives. In every church service and in every prayer circle people are continuously seeking healing in some area of their lives. Whether it be for their health, marriage, finances, relationships, family, heart, etc. The requests are numerous but they are one in the same.



The problem:



So often these determined and well-meaning saints are going through the right motions, they are seeking the right help, they are so eager in their pleas, and they are so honest in their cries.

However, all to often, the Christian is so riddled with hatred and a lack of forgiveness they often stay in the same chains year after year, decade after decade, and do not ever grow any stronger and their relationship with the Lord is as stagnant as ever. God may even try to work in their lives but they are so bitter than cannot even recognize the blessing. They often quit seeking and knocking because their efforts do not seem rewarded and their hope is ever decreasing. They do not seem to receive God's touch because they are not able to. The unforgiveness is blocking the very thing they are craving.

Jesus is our Savior, He is our healer, He is our Counselor, but He is also holy. If we want all that He is and to be as close to Him as possible, than we need to do what He asks because He knows what is best for us. Our Creator knows the answer to our deepest hurts and cries and He is ever waiting to deliver us.



The solution:

One needs to repent, and choose to walk in forgiveness. One needs to agree with what God has said on the issue and forgive. They may even need to forgive God (or so it may seem) and let it go. This can only be done with God's help and power of the Holy Spirit, but when someone honestly and completely chooses to take the step and purposes in their heart to stand by the decision, God comes in. He is free to come in because the wall of unforgiveness/bitterness/hate/hard-heartedness is torn and God can make full residence. He can them come in and do the healing He has been waiting to do.

So often we forget that God cannot dwell amongst sin. We are so used to our sin, we can forget what it is. We are so used to it because it feels so familiar that we can even stop seeing the problem with it. We can rationalize our hard hearts and our lack of forgiveness until it doesn't seem like a big deal. This is tragic because although God is ever ready to come in and make himself so real, he is a gentlemen. He will never force His way in our hearts, because He understands what a real relationship is, and THAT'S what He wants.

I wonder how many people are out there dying to get healed, dying to get touched, dying to get set free, and God has been wondering the same thing. He has been wondering when these people are going to come to Him with everything they have got. He longs for that intimate relationship that can only be found amongst a Creator and His created.
God wants desperate disciples who are so sold out, they won't let anything come in their way between them and the Father.

What is in the way with you? What hard heart are you carrying?

Just let it go. Repent of the sin of unforgiveness, get rid of it, mourn it, forsake it. Watch what God will do.

What have you got to lose?

or better yet...

What have you got to gain?

Christmas in a recession

Well, Christmas is coming up soon, very soon actually, in a few days.

I find myself not as excited this year as I usually am around the holiday season. The whole "economic recession" has put a few of my family members and close friends in complete financial crisis. I just haven't had the same excitement this year when I think about Christmas. I find myself not really wanting to go Christmas shopping because I know some people can't. I don't really want presents this year because I know some people won't get any or have the money to buy them. Some people may not even be living in their own homes in a few months and it breaks my heart to even think about it, or know what to say anymore. It's just so sad.


But, what comforts me is that God is alive and working during these times. He is Faithful no matter what the news says, no matter where we live, or what type financial crisis is going on. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, no matter what is going on in the world around us. Maybe I have always thought Christmas to be some magical time because of the all the gift-giving and receiving, and I just have never had the right perspective.

I have also been reading through the book of Job, for a Bible Challenge my friend gave me. Job is an awesome man of God because he faced things that many people would not be able to face. He faced trials that far surpass the economic crises which is happening right this very moment. There is one thing which stood out to me during my reading, which really encouraged me. In all of his trials, JOB DID NOT CURSE GOD.

Now, he was upset, he cursed the day he was born(Job 3:1), but He did not curse God. This is extreme faith at it's finest. This is a man who went from having everything, to having nothing, and he wasn't really given a lot of answers. He had friends who tried to be there for him at first. In fact for seven days they just sat there alongside Job and didn't say a word because they saw his grief was so great.(Job 2:13) But once they started talking they just ended up discouraging him and making his pain worse. His wife wasn't very support either. Nevertheless, Job continued to exhibit righteousness and faith during a very sharp time of mourning and pain. No matter what was taken from him; his family, wealth, health, friends, Job trusted God.

In chapter 19, Job continued to defend himself after his friends continued to attack him and blame him for his misfortunes. Yet Job looked forward to the day when he would be with the Lord.

"But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God(Job 19: 25-27.)!

Jesus already warned us that trials and hard times are inevitable, but we need to remember where our hope lies. We need to ask God for his true perspective on the situation at hand so we can see things with a new light.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."(John 16:33)

When I think of Job and his example of faith I am reminded that God always uses trials for our advantage. When I think about that, I am comforted for my family and friends this Christmas, because I know God has a plan.

Maybe the very things we want God to take away are the very things which He is using as a tool of refinement and a faith builder, which is far more precious than any earthly thing. So, maybe instead of praying: "God, help, what are you doing here? Why aren't you answering this prayer, Lord", I should instead pray for His will to be done. I should pray that God would grant them more faith and a stronger relationship with Himself, instead of financial prosperity. I know I would rather have a closer and intimate relationship with the Lord than I would rather have any other earthly thing. So, I should also want that for my family and friends. So, when I see these things happening around me I am going to choose to exercise my faith and remind myself of God's character.

When I put my faith in God and His word, I am comforted and reminded to look at situations through the eyes of faith and be glad. I can trust that God is in control despite how things may "appear."