FORGIVENESS

“ Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Mark 11:24-25

We would all like others to see life from our side of the story. Sometimes we lash out at others and feel justified for doing so and we spend time seeking out those who will agree with us even if it means distorting reality. We may be able to alter the truth when trying to convince others that our wrongdoing was justified, however, we cannot fool God. The God of the universe knows our heart and our true intentions (Heb 4:12).

Forgiveness is a very tricky and misunderstood required activity as a Christian. Even those who are not practicing Christians see the value in the act of forgiveness although they have no basis in why it is important to forgive others other than self-preservation. For a non-Christian it is an effort to cultivate an atmosphere of peace and harmony. The secular realm has also noticed that when there is continual hate toward another or feelings of adversity toward another that the brain does not rest from thoughts of retribution and anger. Eventually the one harboring the hate can become ill, either mentally or physically and many times both.

These are good enough reasons to forgive others, even if it is only to get rid of the personal harm that these thoughts and feelings will have on our health if we allow them to fester. Unfortunately, most people eventually become apathetic toward the one whom they perceive is doing them wrong, making the intent of forgiveness only superficial and not a genuine act of mercy.

As a Christian, however, aside from the mental anguish and physical illness that are possible with unforgiveness, we are called to forgive for the sake of our personal relationship and walk with the Creator. We are mandated to forgive because we are forgiven from all of our wicked thoughts and actions when we accept God’s provision of redemption through Jesus, God’s chosen Messiah. As a result of this gift of redemption we will also be hidden from the wrath of God on the day of judgment (John 3:35-36; Romans 1:18). This is huge!

God is so serious about true forgiveness that he lets us know, through his word, that if we believe that someone has something against us, we must try to make it right (Matt 5:22-24). If we think that we can harbor hatred for others and insult others and still think that God will answer our prayers, we are painfully mistaken.

Make note however, God’s word never says that situations must be resolved in a reciprocated form of forgiveness in order to be in good standing with God. Some people are so far gone down the spiral of hate and loathing that it will take an intervention from God to bring them back to reality. We are only responsible for our own heart and conscience.

When we are the victims of invalid accusations based on distorted perceptions of reality, it is imperative that we give the situation over to God. Even if we did nothing wrong, we should make honest attempts to ask the other person for forgiveness for whatever they perceive is the offense. We need to find it in our heart to have mercy on the other individual because they are in such emotional turmoil.

Sometimes it is necessary to break ties with those who are no longer living in reality and seem to enjoy the sense of power over others whom they continue to falsely accuse of malice. This is a clear sign of spiritual warfare, and the accuser has allowed their thinking to be infiltrated by evil forces. Only God can bring this person back. This is where we give the person and the situation over to the LORD as we continue to pray for that individual’s soul.

Never lose sight that our goal should be that the bondage of hatred and the shackles of a distorted view of reality are broken and that the individual making accusations is brought closer to the Father. Jesus promises that when we seek first the Kingdom of God, everything else will fall into place (Matthew 6:32-34). I trust that this is true and so should all Christians.