Deeper wounds need inner healing, many people forget to ask for forgiveness for things they've done in the past that still affect people today. Some people actually forget but the person who's been hurt still carries the wound and it hasn't actually healed. Which is why we need to be forgiving daily, not wait till months or years later. And we can forgive up to 490 times in one day! According to the Bible...if someone makes that many mistakes and admits it you HAVE to forgive that person. They probably just have no idea on how to do whatever it is properly.
Hello
brothers and sisters;
My concern of forgiveness is in the church, which is our disciple training ground.
One of the greatest teachings of forgiveness is told from the
story of Joseph in Genesis 37-50.
Forgiveness is difficult to ask or give to the most heinous of sin that we commit, commit against us or commit against others.
Regardless, God can make a way for you and I to seek forgiveness under the most extreme circumstances. He can also make a way for us to forgive others who hurt, betray or curse us in the worst way.
God understands forgiveness is
given (when we forgive) and
received (when we seek forgiveness) "emotionally." At first, we are
reactive, and may feel that we have to apply the Scriptures on our own.
Not so.
But through
deep prayer, once we get a grip of the situation that requires forgiveness, we become
"receiving" of the Holy Spirit that intercedes on our behalf so we are not working alone. The Lord is carrying us through that can lead to reconciliation and restoration. We must remember its a process and takes the Lord's time to bring healing to the pain of hurt, betrayal, bitterness and for many, a bruised ego. Again, God is constantly working in us to complete
His Process.
Throughout church history the issue of forgiveness has prompted people to leave the church abruptly. Next time you and I have to deal with forgiveness, ask ourselves. Are we leaving without confronting the other, to forgive, reconcile and restore the relationship?
Here are the bigger questions. Are we leaving our church because of unforgiveness, the person who wronged us? Who gave them power over God for us to make that major decision?
Or, are we leaving the church because God instructs us to? Its not wise to use this loosely as a crutch to leave because of forgiveness issues. Also, we cannot blame the pastor if we haven't been able to reconcile forgiveness which is another crutch. We are empowered as Christians to forgive and receive forgiveness.
Understandably, there are circumstances when after forgiveness of one another God may have another ministry for you at another church. But this is an outgoing process that should always require the Pastor. He is your Shepherd and needs to make sure your matters are settled so you don't carry unresolved baggage into the next church. He wants you to be a blessing to the new church and pastor.
One more lesson from Joseph. Despite the cruelty of Joseph's brothers and the seductress wife of Potiphar, he continued serving God - mercy, compassion, and the character virtues of a Godly man. Joseph could have argued unforgiveness because he was a slave.
If we are in the middle of a forgiveness issue, don't use this to discontinue serving God, if anything, serve God with
double service. This helps ease any festering of bitterness. Instead, we need that gentle spirit which can help us think better, wisely, during the forgiveness process.
More of your thoughts? To be continued...