YOU MUST FORGIVE: For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your heavenly Father will not forgive your sins.(Mt. 6:14). How best to describe forgiveness than to illustrate same from the experience of Stephen in the Bible who even though was a mortal like us, in the midst of the pains inflicted on him by his killers found a place in his heart to forgive at the point of his death. So many times we are a victim of the ruthless act of cruelty from our neighbours, friends, brothers and sometimes stangers, who in real sense cannot justify their act of cruelty to us. Just like Stephen, we are cut up with the wicked nature of mans heart. However, how often do you find in your heart to walk the path of forgiveness just like Stephen in the midst of the pain and hurt? The word of God makes it totally clear, the need to forgive and has placed a condition. Thus, for you to recieve Gods forgiveness and mercy, you too must have to take up Gods forgiving nature. Forgiveness in itself avails us the peace and the openness to be in communion with God, hence scripture says in Matt 5:23-24, So if you are about to offer your gift to God at the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there infront of the altar, go at once and make peace with your brother, and come back and offer your gift to God.(GNT). Not to do so is to make your offerings unacceptable before God. Do you see how serious God takes forgiveness? If you do not forgive others , you cannot feel free to come into the presence of God. When grievvance rests in your heart, you put yourself in conflict with God and place an obstacle on your blessings and answers to your prayers. Forgiveness is absolute. It means there is nothing like partial forgiveness. Its either you have forgiven the person that wronged you or not. God is about to rain on you His favour that would make you
Posted on: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 20:45:46 +0000