Are you in need of God’s help to forgive someone? Have you determined to forgive them because the Lord says you need to? But as soon as you think you have, those same old feelings of unforgiveness, anger, hurt, resentment, and bitterness rise within you. Jesus said that the Father would not forgive if you do not forgive. Yet, perhaps you desperately desire to forgive or to be forgiven. Do you need the hurt, pain, and suffering of the past to be released? But how is this possible when you can’t seem to let go?
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15
You first need God’s forgiveness, which comes from His love. It is accessible through Jesus Christ, which only comes from the filling of the Holy Spirit. Next, you must understand that unforgiveness is the agent that hardens the heart with its poison so that no good thing can flow.
But if you humble yourself to repent and receive God’s forgiveness, He will soften and break up the soil of your hard heart so His seed of forgiveness can grow into love. It will nourish and soften your broken heart, allowing you to forgive others. Because if resentment changes to love, it becomes easier to forgive others, no matter what they do.
Just as Jesus loved His enemies and was able to forgive them no matter what horrors they had committed against Him. You need His love, compassion, and forgiveness, which He has and is willing to give you. But you must step out in faith and repent of your sins first. Then, God will provide you with a forgiving heart. Jesus is your source to be able to forgive.
And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on His right and one on His left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:33-34
To the average person, forgiveness seems incomprehensible or unthinkable. To love those who are killing you. But that is the love of God. He loved us while we were still sinners. Without the Spirit of the Lord, it is impossible to forgive and forget. But with the love, compassion, and forgiveness of Jesus Christ, it is possible to love your enemies.
Also, forgiveness is not about what the offender says or does to make things right. It is all about the love and compassion you have for them. You have to take the initiative. It is about setting yourself free from the job of judgment and punishment and putting it in the hands of God.
Remember, unforgiveness is a poison you drink expecting the other person to die. It goes down to the inner sanctuary of the heart and seeks to kill all good things. Forgive, and allow God to heal. Put them in the hands of God; if they deserve just punishment, that job belongs to the Lord.
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19
Repent and ask God to forgive your sins first, to cleanse yourself from unrighteousness. Then, ask Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit, to give you His love. Finally, pray to Him and ask for His love, compassion, and forgiveness. But you must understand one important fact. People hurt others because others hurt them; they have fallen victim to the Devil’s trap to destroy lives through offense. Therefore, they need to be loved and forgiven just like everyone else to break the chain of unforgiveness and hurt.
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! Psalm 139:23-24
Please be the one who runs to Jesus for healing through your repentance. Suppose you forgive and seek God’s face about this matter. In that case, He can do incredible things in your heart that would never be possible otherwise, preparing you to work more effectively for the Kingdom of Heaven.
May you be filled with His Spirit to love the lost no matter what they do to you. May the Lord’s compassion dwell in you to save others from the deception of the Devil so that you may be able to love others and finally forgive as the Lord forgives, which makes a person truly free. You never know what your love and compassion may do for someone who has hurt you. It may also draw them to the Lord through your forgiveness and save their soul from hell.
Draw close to the Lord, seek His forgiveness, repent, and love that you may also forgive. Then go from here and show others love, compassion, and forgiveness in Jesus’ name.
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:29-32
The Soul Sower 