Forgiveness From The Heart

A couple Sundays ago the Women Bible Study explored the topic of Forgiveness.  We discussed forgiving others and ourselves.

This brings to mind what our LORD Jesus stated in Matthew 18:35.

Several translations state it this way “ This is how my heavenly Father will treat you, unless you each forgive your brother from your heart. “

NKJV makes it even clearer: “ So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses (wrong).”

Jesus statement "So My Heavenly Father also will do to you..." is a part of the story of the "Unforgiving Servant". Jesus had told Peter that we are to forgive up to 70 x 7, which is equal to 490 times. 490 times is many times to forgive someone for the wrong they have done to you over and over again, but even Jesus puts an limit on how many times a person can continue to hurt you and ask forgiveness.  At some point they really don't want forgiveness for they have not truly repented for committing the wrong.

Also, just because someone is forgiven doesn't mean that they don't have to pay for the wrong that they have done.  You might forgive someone for a sin that was against the law, but it doesn't mean that the Judicial System will not make the person pay just because you forgave him. 

My Aunt Nina Marie was brutally murdered and her body was beyond recognition. And without forensic science we would not have ever known what happened to her. However, my mother being the eldest and the decision maker of whether the family would seek the death penalty or life in prison chose forgiveness and agreed to seek life in prison for my Aunt's murderers.  

For the first time in my life I recognized forgiveness from the heart. 

Even though it may be human to wish the worst for someone who have hurt you or to see them doing poorly because of what they have done to you, it is not God like. It will take the grace and the love that only God can give to have forgiveness in your Spirit that allows you to forgive without demanding severe justice.   It is almost impossible to forgive them with only your mind, it must be from your heart. And, when you take the first step toward forgiveness then God's grace will help you with the next steps. 

Now should we think proudly that we have done something great by forgiving someone?

No, of course not, because we have only done something that is required by God for us to do, and the sincere depths of that forgiveness must come from the heart. 

Remember, it was our King, Messiah and LORD who was beaten for our wrong, even though it was us (you and I) who committed the grievous crime of sins and iniquities against God. The Father decided that Jesus would take upon himself the wrong for every wrong committed on this earth. And Christ Jesus said that we would find forgiveness through Him.  I don't know anyone who would take the punishment of another, but perhaps a parent who doesn't want to see her son or daughter suffer. But even our parents cannot take upon themselves the wrong we have done against God.  Only Jesus can do this and only Jesus' penalty satisfies the wrong we have done toward God.  

Yes, you should forgive because you are forgiven, but it doesn't mean that the hurt will not be there in the beginning when the wrong is committed. However, it does mean that you must give it to God over and over again until it is no longer as painful as the day when it happened. 

Lastly,  I was with my sister-in-law Steenia and we were celebrating the occasion of her being 2 years free of breast cancer.  Since it was breast cancer month and our niece Toni's birthday weekend who died from breast cancer at the age of 35, we decided to take a break from everyday life and celebrate the gift of healing, thanksgiving to God, and renewal of our faith.

 While we were there we met a homeless young lady who was 30 years old. We stopped to give her help and found that she was saving her money to go home after being gone for 18 months.  Her parents and child had no idea where she was. Everything was stolen from her but the clothes she was wearing and a pair of pants. God moved my heart to buy her a ticket back home. She waited for the bus back to Brooklyn on Wednesday morning thanking us and hugging us as well.  So my request is that we please pray that the young lady will find healing and forgiveness when she returns home to Brooklyn, New York. 

I am only sharing this story because not only do people need your prayers, but some times they need a way out.  If you can help someone find a way out of the situation, please help. It is better to feed someone then just pray that he/she will find some food.  My parents home was an open door for whomever may have been in need. Even for those who may have caused them great pain. So, if the Father has enabled you to do what you can for others; pray, give and leave the rest up to Him. 

May God bless you and keep you this week.  I pray that by the grace of God that you will find forgiveness from the heart.

With Much Love,
Patricia,

Noble Light Ministries