"To Forgive Is To Be Free"

So who does forgiving free anyways?

After my message on "Healing the Holes In Your Heart" there was a number of responses by readers who said it was going to take some time to reach a point when they would be able to forgive those who did things that hurt them and left holes in their hearts. I felt like it would be good to go over this topic some more in the scriptures so that we can see more of what Jesus was teaching about this matter of forgiveness.

The first passage that I ever remember hearing on forgiveness was as a child when I was told to forgive seventy times seven and I always wondered why Jesus used that number. I know seven is a tenth of seventy which would be the equivalent of the amount God refers to as the tithe that we are to give to God of our gains. But Jesus said to forgive seventy times seven! I think that Jesus was saying to Peter not to just forgive a tenth of the time but instead to keep forgiving and if you are keeping count, just multiply the number of times you have forgiven them times ten and whatever that equals, multiply that times the number you have already forgiven them! Wow! It never ends, does it? If you find another pattern here, let me know! I'd love for you to share it with me! Let's look at this passage in the book of Matthew,

Matt 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Matt 18:22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Well, now we know how many times we should forgive and many of us are very familiar with having to do this very thing as we go through times in our marriages, divorces, friendships and parenting. I don't even try to keep count anymore because the next thing I want to share with you is why it is so important to do this and how it impacts our lives when we stop forgiving.

I have been at a place in my life when I felt that I couldn't forgive someone because I felt that I was doing something for that person that they didn't deserve! I just couldn't clear them of their actions against me because they never even admitted they were wrong or asked for forgiveness! They didn't deserve it no matter what anyone said! It was final, they wouldn't get my kindness or my forgiveness as long as I was still thinking clear!

Then one day God sent a messenger along with a message that actually showed me how my mind wasn't clear at all! My mind had been clouded by the reaction of my flesh. My thinking told me that I would be letting them off the hook if I forgave them so my flesh said,"Don't do it!" "They need to suffer until they come begging for forgiveness!" It all sounded pretty good to me since I was the one who was mistreated and they were the offender! It sounded like a just decision on my part as far as I had been taught by the world view of things! Must be right, right? Well, let's take a look at the next few verses where Jesus gives an example of a judgement call to Peter. I know that there are allot of verses here but it is a very important message that Jesus himself gave not only to Peter but to all of the human race on forgiveness. Let's take in this important message!

Mat 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a certain king, which would take account of his servants. (we are Gods servants)
Mat 18:24 And when he had begun to reckon(meaning to compute), one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
Mat 18:25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
Mat 18:26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Mat 18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
Mat 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owe.
Mat 18:29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Mat 18:30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
Mat 18:31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. (The people who know us will call out to our Lord in their compassion for the forgiveness of our offender if we choose to judge him ourselves)
Mat 18:32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because wanted me to: (God will call us one day as His servant)
Mat 18:33 Shouldest not you also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?( God will also ask us this)
Mat 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
Mat 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Look at that last verse one more time!!!

Mat 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if you from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Jesus had just said that His Father in heaven will do the same thing to you if you do not forgive in your hearts everyone their trespasses! What was it that He said He would do? He said he would do the same to you!

I know what you are thinking, if my offender would have come to me begging....." I don't think so!" I believe that we cannot treat anyone fair, whether they beg or not, if we are holding them prisoner for what they have done to us! Let's look at another passage in Matthew 6;

Mat 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts(sins), as we forgive our debtors.(the ones who sin against us)
Mat 6:13 And lead us not into temptation(to hold a grudge against those people), but deliver us from evil(that comes when we hold anger and bitterness in our hearts): For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.(God is in control of what happens to those people and He will be glorified no matter what, so we don't have to worry about that) Amen.
Mat 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses(sins against you), your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Mat 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses,(sins against you) neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.(sins against our Father in heaven)

It doesn't say anywhere that we need to forgive those who sin against us so that they can be blessed or so that they will have a better life. There isn't any mention at all as to the outcome of those we forgive. What we do see is that we ourselves will be blessed! We will be forgiven and we will experience the joy that comes with accepting Gods rule over all of the human race.

That's pretty clear but how can we do that? By putting our trust in God that He will judge them and that He will be glorified by whatever His choice is! God knows best and we seem to have a pretty hard time accepting that in this day of higher education and technology.

Let's turn loose and let God take hold of the problem people in our lives! It is only when we loosen our grip that we can receive a blessing from the Lord! While we have our fist held tight it is impossible to receive what God has in store for you!

When I realized for the first time that God wanted me to forgive in order to heal the holes in MY heart and I took the next step of trusting Him with the judging those who had sinned against me, I prayed and I said,"God, I want to heal! I want to forgive them but I will only forgive them right now so that I can heal and so that you will forgive me too! Thank you Lord for my forgiveness and I want to be healed like new again!"

Following this prayer, I suddenly felt like I could breath again! When I stood up, I felt like a 100 pound weight was taken off of my shoulders! It felt like steel bands that had been wound tight around my body and head were cut loose! God had removed the chains of anger, bitterness and an unforgiving spirit that Satan had been wrapping me in for many years. I am glad to say today that I am free of this bondage and I rejoice every day that I prayed the prayer of forgiveness! You can too! Try it today!

Let's pray,

Oh God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, we ask your forgiveness as we forgive those who have sinned against us! We have accepted your forgiveness but we know we must also forgive if we are to be filled with your Spirit. I know that you are love and if I have your love dwelling in me, I cannot hold grudges and wish revenge on others. Thank you Father for your grace and your mercy! It is my desire that I glorify you with my life each and every day. Father in heaven, I love you and long for the day that I can be with you in a place where there is no sorrow or pain! Bless me with all your blessings and keep your hand of protection about me as I travel the pathways you have chosen for me. Amen.