Forgiveness
Jesus said, "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Matthew 6:14-15
Forgiveness
The word forgiveness in Greek meaning means freedom, deliverance,
liberty and pardon. When we are forgiven by God for our sins we
are free in Christ. When we forgive others it also
frees us from harboring bitterness, ill will, or resentment. This word comes from a root word which means "to send away" or "to lay aside".
When we have a spirit of forgiveness, we are sending away the works of Satan and shunning the appearance of evil which could become a stronghold in the mind or imagination.
"Forgiveness sets the one who forgives free also." There is no greater feeling than to be forgiven by God, and
forgive others. It is such a release when we can truly love
those who may have hurt us and remember that Christ bore all our
suffering and sorrows. When we forgive, we may then be forgiven by our Lord for our transgressions
and find peace and freedom.
"Whom the Son sets free is free indeed" We must continue to be forgiving and lay all our burdens upon the
shoulders of Jesus. Shoulders in the Bible in Greek meaning represents strength and responsibility.
Our burdens will be carried by Jesus when we give them to Him. He is the only one who can give true rest and peace.
When we forgive, we are being yoked to Him and can truly
exchange our burdens for His burden. Unforgiveness in a life is a "burden or weight" making a person "heavy laden".
It is to be carried to the Father and He will give rest and peace.
One of the saddest Scriptures I find in God's Holy Word is prophecy in Zechariah 13: 6."And one shall say unto him,
What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.
Can you imagine the hurt of our Lord when wounded in the "house of those he calls his friends?"
It brings tears to your eyes when you really think about it.
This refers to the crucified Messiah revealed, as He refers and will refer people to his sufferings for their sins.
His "potential friends" can become "actual friends" through his sufferings
and divine passion for them. There has been a fountain of salvation opened for sin
and uncleanness to all who will only receive. Zec. 13:1.
We may also be wounded at times because of cruel words or actions, disbelief, suspicious minds or many other things; but no hurt could ever compare with the hurt our Lord felt related to us in Scripture.
He is our "healing balm of Gilead" when we apply His Word to our lives. The word "Gilead" in Hebrew comes from a root word meaning "to love, a friend, or show affection for" and this perfectly describes the intimate
relationship and care of the Lord for his beloved.
May we always look to the Cross of Calvary and the Living Word who became flesh to suffer and
die for us. We have the victory through obedience to His Holy Word.
"Give and it shall be given unto you" also includes being forgiving and giving mercy to others as His mercy was given to us.
With the same measure we "mete", it shall be measured to us again.
He is such an "Awesome God" who rewards us with His many blessings,
"over and over again".
To "Forgive" is to "give"
Blessings in Christ,
Jo Ann
J. P.'s Inspirations (c) 2001.
Words of Wisdom
People are often unreasonable, illogical,
and self-centered;
But GOD says Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, People may accuse
you of selfish, ulterior motives;
But GOD asks you to be Kind to them anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some
false friends and some true enemies;
But GOD wants you to Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank,
people may cheat you;
But GOD expects you to be Honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building,
someone could destroy overnight;
But in GOD's name, Build it anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness,
there may be jealousy;
But GOD wants you to be Happy anyway.
The good you do today,
people will often forget tomorrow;
But GOD is relying on you to do Good anyway.
Give the world the best you have,
and it may seem like it is never enough;
But is that any reason not to give your Best anyway?
You see, in the final analysis,
It is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
- Mother Theresa~
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