How important is forgiveness?
Scripture tells us it is very important.
Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of Yehova is eternal life in Yeshua Messiah.
We know we are deserving of death, but how do we escape this fate?
We need to be forgiven our sins.
Not just by anyone, but by the only One who has overcome death.
John 14:6
6 Yeshua said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life! No one comes to the Father except through Me.
But what about us?
Have we ever been wronged?
Have we ever been hurt?
Of course we have…
Is it important for us to forgive others?
Matthew 18:21-22
21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Master, how often shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22 Yeshua said to him, “No, not up to seven times, I tell you, but seventy times seven!
Messiah says, yes, it is important for us to forgive. And not just once, either… Do the verses above say we have to forgive 490 times, and then we can be done with it? I believe the intent is that we should have a heart for forgiveness. Not that we should keep track, up to a pre-defined limit, and then we can be mean and unloving after that.
How important is it?
Matthew 6:14-15
14 “For if you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.
Ummm, wow.
That is pretty serious!!
If we do not forgive others, then we will not be forgiven.
And do you know what goes away if we are not forgiven?
Salvation. Eternal Life. The kingdom of heaven.
Hmmm….
Are you willing to miss out on those things?
Just to hold a grudge?
Some people have been wronged beyond belief.
Some people have horrific and tragic stories.
Are they to forgive?
Yes, they are.
As hard as it might be, it is critical that they forgive.
Otherwise the Father in heaven will not forgive them, as we saw in Matthew 6.
“But forgiving someone who did awful things makes everything easier for them…”
Maybe, maybe not.
But here is the interesting thing…
When you forgive others, it makes things easier for you.
No more hate.
No more bitterness.
No more weight on your shoulders.
No more focus on past events.
And on and on and on…
If someone has seriously wronged you, worldly wisdom tells us to hold onto hate and bitterness and to not forgive.
Scripture, our only real source of truth in this world, tells us to let go of all that.
Not only that we should, but mandates it.
Scripture requires it of us.
Can you let go?