God’s Unlimited Forgiveness and the Danger of Bitterness by Greg Gordon



Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ – Matthew 18:21

God’s forgiveness is unlimited in this earth. What a joy to know that no one has out sinned God’s love, or done things that God cannot forgive. But at times our forgiveness for others especially in the Church is very limited. When we do not fully understand the grace of God and how much forgiveness God has shown us then we are willing to forgive others very little also. When we see our sins are not very bad, then we will be able to judge others sins as worse. Peter the Disciple of Jesus here shares he astonishment of God’s long-suffering to restore just one believer in the Church. Peter’s way of thinking was if they did not fit the mark then its better they are not with us, but Jesus gave the importance to the lessor and the weakest. How many times have we cast out a brother or sister from our circle of friends because of their sin or weakness they had? The picture Jesus is giving here is to allow God’s forgiveness and heart for his “little ones” to be in our own hearts. Peter thought he was very good and righteous to tell the Lord, he was willing to forgive someone seven times! But our Lord replies with “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22). In other words he is saying Peter you do not understand yet but you will one day soon, my forgiveness is so great and unlimited just like my Heavenly Father.

Watchman Nee says, “Frequently the enemy entices Christians to harbor an unforgiving spirit – a very common symptom indeed among God’s children. Such bitterness and fault-finding and enmity inflict a severe blow upon spiritual life.” Our Lord speaks of how to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven and uses the picture of a child. My friend, reading this, are you like a child being able to forgive another person a great crime and hurt in your life? Are you able to see unforgiveness as a great sin and it better that your arm or leg were cut off then to hold such a bitter grudge? No matter how godly we are or how much progress we have made on the Christian life, if we are not able to forgive others as Christ forgave then we will start to be greatly hindered in our progress towards Christ-likeness. Peter saw it as impossible to forgive so much, yet when he failed the Lord and denied him three times, then he began to understand the Lord’s heart for those who fail. Jesus asks us this question today, “Do you love me?” (John 21:17). If we love the Lord and understand his grace and love we will be able to help his little ones, forgive their failings, and restore them and help them grow. Such a heart is not just for a pastor and leader in God’s Church but for all members to share the heart of the Great Shepherd to see forgiveness and restoration happen. God’s grace and love is like an ocean and his forgiveness like the bottomless depths, if you have been a partaker of it, you will show it to others.
 
@sermonindex Hello,
Thank You so very much for this thread and words of truth. As judging everything and everyone seems to becoming a normal trait of the modern day Christian these days it is so GOOD to see these words of truth brought before our eyes once again. I pray that if you have ears to hear then HEAR THESE WORDS .

People seem to over look Mark 11:25 and quickly dismiss this as nothing all that important but in all Truth this forgiveness is a command of the Lord for all of us and that is right now type of command.

And when YE stand praying - FORGIVE - if ye have aught against any; that your Father also which is in Heaven may forgiveyou your trespasses.

We see right here that no one can stand praying for weeks or years so any excuse or reason such as but you dont know what they did to me - to not forgive some one - any one - simply is NOT ACCEPTABLE.

Nope this is a COMMAND to us. It is a Right Now and Right Then type of command NO MATTER WHAT.
Why is this so important to us ?
Besides ther fact that it is a direct command from God - It Pleases Him as well.
However that is not the only reasons why this is vital in our Christian walk.
Our Faith - Love - Prayers and our own forgiveness to name a few depend on forgiveness.

When we begin to harbor un-forgiveness in our lives we begin to dilute our Faith and if we can not forgive then our walking in Love is not going to be of much value and with out Love and Faith and Fiorgiveness our prayers are weak and without power or return. Another words to little to no effect what so ever.

So Un-Forgiveness is a very dangerous thing to harbor or hold onto as we walk out our salvation by walking in Faith. Want to see victory in your life - dont harbor un-forgiveness.
Want to learn how to walk in Love - dont harbor un-forgiveness in your life
Want to walk in that peace we have in Christ - then dont harbor un-forgiveness in your life.
Are you seeing this - un-forgiveness will CRIPPLE your Christian Life - point blank

God Bless
Jim
 
@sermonindex Hello,
Thank You so very much for this thread and words of truth. As judging everything and everyone seems to becoming a normal trait of the modern day Christian these days it is so GOOD to see these words of truth brought before our eyes once again. I pray that if you have ears to hear then HEAR THESE WORDS .

People seem to over look Mark 11:25 and quickly dismiss this as nothing all that important but in all Truth this forgiveness is a command of the Lord for all of us and that is right now type of command.

And when YE stand praying - FORGIVE - if ye have aught against any; that your Father also which is in Heaven may forgiveyou your trespasses.

We see right here that no one can stand praying for weeks or years so any excuse or reason such as but you dont know what they did to me - to not forgive some one - any one - simply is NOT ACCEPTABLE.

Nope this is a COMMAND to us. It is a Right Now and Right Then type of command NO MATTER WHAT.
Why is this so important to us ?
Besides ther fact that it is a direct command from God - It Pleases Him as well.
However that is not the only reasons why this is vital in our Christian walk.
Our Faith - Love - Prayers and our own forgiveness to name a few depend on forgiveness.

When we begin to harbor un-forgiveness in our lives we begin to dilute our Faith and if we can not forgive then our walking in Love is not going to be of much value and with out Love and Faith and Fiorgiveness our prayers are weak and without power or return. Another words to little to no effect what so ever.

So Un-Forgiveness is a very dangerous thing to harbor or hold onto as we walk out our salvation by walking in Faith. Want to see victory in your life - dont harbor un-forgiveness.
Want to learn how to walk in Love - dont harbor un-forgiveness in your life
Want to walk in that peace we have in Christ - then dont harbor un-forgiveness in your life.
Are you seeing this - un-forgiveness will CRIPPLE your Christian Life - point blank

God Bless
Jim

In reading your post it seems to me that just a few words need to be spoken. Sometimes it is necessary to forgive by faith, because the pain that the other person caused runs deep in the reactions of the flesh. And the devil will make sure to constantly remind someone that they have been hurt and how. Thus if those thoughts are not taken captive, and made to submit to God's ways....result in harboring unforgiveness and/or bitterness.

Blessings
 
In reading your post it seems to me that just a few words need to be spoken. Sometimes it is necessary to forgive by faith, because the pain that the other person caused runs deep in the reactions of the flesh. And the devil will make sure to constantly remind someone that they have been hurt and how. Thus if those thoughts are not taken captive, and made to submit to God's ways....result in harboring unforgiveness and/or bitterness.

Blessings
Cturtle I do so agree with you here and as sermon index reminded us of - Peter and Jesus talking - Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

And as you brought up - our enemy the devil will try us on this and do his best to keep us from walking out this forgiveness even by faith as many times as needed.
God Bless you cturtle and sermonindex for this threrad and wonderful fellowship.
Jim
 
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