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We do not even realize the truth that God has already forgiven our sins, through the crucifixion and death of His Son Jesus Christ in Calvary. It is written in Romans 3:25, "God presented Him [our Lord Jesus Christ] as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His Blood. He did this to demonstrate His justice, because in His forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished..." We need to accept God's total forgiveness, forgive those who have offended and hurt us, and restore our relationship with them, and believe that He has delivered us from the bondage of sins, vices and the spirit of darkness in our lives. Thus, we shall be freed from the guilt and condemnation of our sinfulness, and we can fellowship with God freely and ask Him for what we need. Let us now study what will happen to us if we do not learn how to forgive. |
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Being unforgiving results in bitterness, which is one of the causes of our troubles. Isn't it that if we bear grudges towards others we can't sleep well? And, oftentimes, we easily get annoyed at the slight mistake of others. When we are full of bitterness, we can hardly smile. That's why, although we are only forty years old, we already look like an eighty-year-old. And when we worry to much and got angry and vengeful, we suffer from different kinds of ailments, such as chest pains, headache, heart disease and hypertension. If we do not forget our feelings of resentment and replace these with joy and peace, no matter what medication we take, we won't get well. But if we release all these ill feelings, we shall be able to smile and laugh, and we will look younger and become healthier. Furthermore, being unforgiving is a hindrance to our prayers. In Mark 11:24, Jesus says: "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." But in the preceding verses, He explains that if we pray, yet have something against someone, we should forgive him first, so that our Father in Heaven will forgive our sins. "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins" (Matthew 6:14-15). And also, Psalm 66:18 states that if we regard iniquity in our hearts, God will not hear our prayers. Even when we bring our gifts and offerings to God, He will not accept these unless we first settle our disputes with our brothers and sisters. As it is written in Matthew 5:23-24, "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." |
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