The Benefits of Forgiveness
“I can’t forgive them.”
This is a common theme in most people’s lives. Someone has done something hurtful, and we can’t seem to forgive the offense.
But not forgiving is one of the worst things we can do, because it withholds God’s tremendous benefits that He wishes to pour out into our lives, beginning with forgiveness.
Further, forgiveness isn’t a matter of picking and choosing who or what we want to forgive. Instead, forgiveness is a way of life, and something to be offered to everyone no matter what.
So, it doesn’t matter who we might be holding resentment against, in the end it will eat us alive, along with those we love. The writer of Hebrews tells us not to fall short of God’s grace in this; otherwise, a root of bitterness will spring up in our lives, defiling not only ourselves, but also all those around us (Hebrews 12:15).
But when we offer forgiveness, it transforms our lives. It fills us with an abundance of joy and peace.
Consider the words of Jesus.
“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:37-38)
Therefore, with the same measure we forgive others, shall be the same measure we’ll be forgiven, which is at the heart of what Jesus also tells us in the prayer He taught us to pray.
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15)
No matter the offense, let’s choose to forgive and allow the beauty of God’s forgiveness to overwhelm our soul, bringing peace and joy without measure.
Dennis Lee is Senior Pastor at Living Waters Fellowship, Mesquite, Nevada. He presently has two books, “From Here to There: A Journey to Spiritual Transformation,” and “Wells of Living Waters,” He also writes a religious column for a local newspaper entitled, “Rediscover the Bible for Life,” along with daily devotionals and thoughts that he posts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Living Waters Fellowship’s Website
True, Forgiveness is for you – not the other person. Forgiveness frees you. By so forgiving you show the other person Jesus. And this is what it means to be salt and light to the world.
Your Friend – His servant,
Isaac Otieno
Very true, thanks
That is so true. When we refuse to forgive, in the attempt to imprison the person who hurt us, it only leads us to find out that we are the ones imprisoned. And we will stay in that “prison” until we do forgive, and only then will we be set free and receive that joy and peace that Jesus wants us to have. I also love the scripture mentioned here in Hebrews 12:15 about how our unforgiveness defiles those around us. Not only does that deter our witness to unbelievers, but when it is towards those within the body of Christ, it leads to division and discord, which hinders the unity and that work that God wants to do in and through the church to reach the lost.
Thank you Debbie, very well stated. Appreciate
Forgiveness is one of the hardest things to do when we have been hurt. But I think of Jesus and how he carried it for all of us and forgave us. If we forgive it will free us just like Jesus freed us from all of our sins so I say let go let God!