Forgiving Others

One of the challenges of life is forgiving others. Since we are not perfect, most of us are quick to anger, quick to blame, slow to forgive, and even slower to forget. Yet as Christians, we are commanded to forgive others, just as we,too, have been forgiven.

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
                                                                Ephesians 4:31,32 NASB


No, it is not always easy to forgive. Sometimes people do some really hurtful actions against us. But still, we are commanded to forgive. Forgiveness is not easy, if it were, everybody would be doing it.

One reason we need to learn to forgive is because unforgiveness keeps us tied to that offense all of our lives. The other person who wronged you may have moved on with life, but you and I can keep hanging on to that moment as long as we have unforgiveness.

Another reason we need to learn to forgive is because God commands it. Remember, God doesn't gives us commands just because He feels like it. He gives us commands because He knows that they are what are best for us. Since He has given us a command to forgive, He must know the bad results that can come into our lives by having unforgiveness.

Finally, we need to forgive because Jesus forgave us of the wrongs we did to Him. When we look at the issue without using emotion, we see that forgiveness is always the answer. If Christ can forgive all of the horrible things we have done to Him, how can we hold on to unforgiveness against someone else?

If you are having trouble forgiving someone, pray about it... and keep praying about it... until God helps you do the right action. Corrie Ten Boom, who was a survivor of the holocaust said, " Forgiveness is not an emotion. Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart."

Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
                       Colossians 3:13,14 MSG

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