Teaching: Why Forgive? Part 1

Why Forgive?

The one compelling, overarching reason that trumps all others:

God ordered us to.

The Bible is clear on this, and illustrates God’s amazing unlimited capacity to forgive us.

“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”

PROVERBS 19:11:

To forgive is wise.

Why?

Wise in the eyes of the Lord.

Not in the eyes of man.

Many societies never forgive.

Some spend centuries bemoaning past wrongs.

Follow God’s wisdom, not that of this secular world.

“Forgive one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.”

EPHESIANS 4:32:

We are told to be more like God.

We are here to embrace our spirit and refine our wordliness.

Forgiveness is other wordliness.

It is spiritual.

It is beyond normal human capacity.

Forgiveness is supernatural.

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.”

MATTHEW 5:44-45:

Do not curse those who wrong you.

Do not wish ill on those who harm you.

Instead, pray for them.

These verses highlight the importance of forgiveness as an act of obedience and emulation of God’s character.

Benefits of Forgiveness

1.Godlike Act:

Forgiveness is the most Godlike act we can do, mirroring the divine act of forgiveness exemplified by Jesus on the cross:

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

LUKE 23:34:

2. Unblocking God’s Blessings:

Forgiveness is linked to receiving God’s blessings:.

²³ “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

MATTHEW 5:23-24.

Conversely, withholding forgiveness could hinder these blessings.

If your prayers are not being answered, maybe you are harbouring resentment against someone?

Maybe you need to forgive someone the harm they caused you?

Maybe you need to let go of the pain their actions caused and the wish that they would end up in hell?

3. Emotional and Spiritual Freedom:

Forgiveness brings liberation from negative emotions and fosters a more positive spiritual state. This freedom manifests as:

• No anger
• No blame
• No bitterness
• No desire for revenge

4. Fruit of the Holy Spirit:

Forgiveness cultivates love, peace, and joy, all attributed to the Holy Spirit’s work.

What does this mean?

Forgiveness comes from God.

Only when we embrace the fruit of the Holy Spirit are we able to forgive..

Let us pray:

FATHER GOD HELP US TO FORGIVE OUR ENEMIES AND TO PRAY FOR THOSE WHO WISH US HARM. WE CANNOT DO THIS WITHOUT YOUR GRACE AND POWER LORD. IN JESUS’ MIGHTY NAME WE PRAY. AMEN.