We have all had hurts or hurt someone. Offenses happen, but our reaction to that offence indicates where our heart is. Change your heart for good results.
Matthew 18:7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! (NKJ)
What do you do when you are offended? Should we forgive everything and everyone?
Luke 23:24 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots. (NKJ)
Yeah, but that was Jesus.
Acts 7:59-60 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (NKJ)
Forgiveness is not an emotion. If we wrongly define what forgiveness is, then we will make wrong choices. Forgiveness is a decision. And yet, it is not a one-time decision. It is a choice we make every time the memory of that offence reoccurs.
Matthew 18:21-35 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. (490)
23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.
Unforgiveness doesn’t only affect you but everyone and everything around you.
26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” (NKJ)
Are you tired of being imprisoned by the past — memories of wrongs done to you? Do you keep a mental account?
Do you find yourself keeping track of the many ways you were mistreated? Let it go by choosing to forgive each time you are reminded. It will unharden your heart.
Matthew 15:8-9;18-19 Jesus quoted Isaiah saying, “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and
honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from
Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me, teaching as
doctrines the commandments of men.” Jesus when on to say, 18 “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” (NKJ)
What do these all have in common? They are things mankind does to one another.
1John 4:20-21 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. (NKJ)
When we ignore Scripture and conviction by the Holy Spirit that we have done someone wrong, we become calloused and hard-hearted. We in effect wrong others when we hold a grudge.
Romans 2:5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, (NKJ)
The Greek word for impenitent is “unrepentant.” Simply put, it is stubbornly refusing to change one’s mind even after presented with the truth. Obdurate. Rebellious.
Forgive and you shall be forgiven!
