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?