Walking With JesusSample

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is central in our coming to God and also in how we respond to others. Jesus’ prayer on the cross was that our Father forgive us because “we do not know what we are doing”. Only at the foot of the cross can we find true forgiveness and the grace and power to forgive others.

We have to realise that we do not forgive others because we feel like it. Other people may have hurt us and therefore owe us a certain debt. Realise that forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling. Jesus says that we have received freely, so we should give freely.

Remember that God forgives us in the same way that we forgive others. His Word commands us to forgive. This doesn’t mean that you condone or agree with what was done, but in forgiving you say that you don’t hold another person responsible for their wrongful acts against you; just like Jesus doesn’t hold us responsible for our sins against Him.

Many times we accuse God because we think that “He has allowed this thing to happen” or that “He was not there when we needed Him”. We ask ourselves many “why” questions.

It is important to understand that God is on our side and that He never intends for us to get hurt. However, we live in a broken and sinful world and other people’s decisions will have an effect on our lives.

Trust the Lord to start a process of release in your life. Remember Jesus did not feel good when He forgave us while hanging on the cross. Sometimes we will encounter people who have hurt us and still feel angry or register pain. It is important to constantly remind ourselves of the decision we have made to forgive these individuals. Forgiveness will remove the pain and hurt, but it will not necessarily remove the scars that were left and the memories of these incidences.

Reflection questions (write your answers in a journal):

• List three things you want to ask God’s forgiveness for.


• We also need to forgive ourselves for things we have done wrong. List some of the things you need to forgive yourself for.


• Do you feel you need to release God from any unfair accusations? Take a moment and pray about this.


• Why is the forgiveness of sins necessary? (Hebrews 9:22)


• List three people who have hurt you that you need to forgive.

 Action

Bring each one of these people (and events) to the cross and speak forgiveness over them.