As I have stated in past blogs, when I find something in God's word that is very clearly stated it really jumps out to me that this is God, the creator of heaven and earth, giving me a set of instructions. I'm not sure we see it that way enough. I know growing up I did not, and if you watch the moral decay of the world around us, it is very clear that others do not take it serious enough too. However, if you were standing in the middle of your living room today and a voice came down from above and gave you a very clear command, how many say "I don't feel I really need to do that". But we will read the Word of God and clearly ignore the commands that are handed down to us. We use excuses like "these are different times", or "they didn't have to go through what we go through today"...or we even try to change the meaning behind something the bible says to make it fit into our world. However, there are several verses in the bible that say God's word never changes and in never loses it's meaning. (Mark 1:25, Psalms 12:6-7, Deuteronomy 4:1-2) I say all that today because the topic that I felt pressed on my heart is not an easy topic for people, but it is one that is clearly addressed in God's Word. I even believe it is a topic I have written on before. But until we understand how much damage this topic can cause inside of us....and how much restriction it can put on our life....and how much access it allows the enemy to have to us, we should keep talking about it and allow God to work on it in us and through us. And that topic is unforgiveness.
There are 3 passages in the bible that cover forgiveness with such seriousness that it screams out to me just how important it is to God. Mark 11:25, Ephesians 4:26-27 and Matthew 6:14-15 all talk about the importance of forgiveness, the consequences of unforgiveness and the foothold we give the enemy over us when choose not to forgive. And I do use the word "choose" very carefully there. I think God's Word makes it very clear that we can choose to forgive someone, or we can choose not to. Forgiveness is not something anyone can force you to do....or a decision anyone can take away from you. However, it is something that is so much easier if you allow God to help you with it. And over the past year of doing ministry that is the one thing I have seen people struggle with the most. They try to do it on their own and they just can't. Sometimes it is because the pain is just too deep. Sometimes it is because the person is just to stubborn. And sometimes people feel like they are giving up all the "power" if they forgive the other person. And all of these things are very real and valid feelings. Which again is why when we try to do it on our own it is so hard. All of our own feelings get in the way and we just feel like we "need" to hold on to that unforgiveness. But again and again I have seen the damage that it has on the person's life who is holding onto it. Not to the person they choose not to forgive. And again and again we have sat in ministry and watched God reveal that to people. And when they finally get it, it is a beautiful thing to watch that walls come down. To see them release it to God and fully trust Him with it. To see someone actually physically, physiologically and emotionally let go and let God.
There are 2 things that we share with someone in ministry when we discuss forgiveness that I want to leave you with today. One is what it does to you....and two is what we are really saying when we do choose to forgive.
Unforgiveness is like a poison. It makes it's way into us and causes damage on the inside of us. What it does to our hearts is cause bitterness, anger, sadness and hardness of the heart. It causes us to build up walls and makes it very hard for God, or someone else in our life, to get through to us in the same way they used to. These are not my words, but it has been said that "unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting it cause the other person to die". It does not, it is slowly killng you. It may have an impact on the other person, but you are the one it is hurting.
So what are we saying when we make the choice to forgive? What are we saying to God and what are we saying about what was done to us? Are we just writing it off like it never happened? No, not really, but we are releasing it. We are saying to God that I know you are a just God, and I trust your justice over my own. I know holding onto this is NOT something you would want me to do, therefore out of trust and obedience I am going to release this to you. I know it does not make what that person did to me "ok", but I trust that how you will deal with that is much better than how I will. So I choose to let go of this right now and release this to you. And then once we release it, we ask God to heal anything in us that was caused by what was done to us, or the by the unforgiveness we were holding on to. And He will. He loves you and He wants to see you fully restored and walking in freedom! And letting go of unforgiveness is a HUGE step in that direction.
God, Thank You for Your word which makes it very clear to us that forgiveness is very important to You. Help us with this topic today God because it is not an easy one for us. Please heal the pain, sorrow, anger and bitterness that has set into anyone that has had to deal with forgiveness and unforgiveness. And teach us today how much more at peace we can be when we release this to You. Allow us to have the strength to honor You with this, and be obedient to Your Word. In Jesus name, Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment