Forgiveness
“As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” Ps. 103:12 (ESV).
Greetings Everyone and Happy New Year!
Welcome to 2025! God has blessed us to see another year. Last year, was difficult because I lost my mother in November 2024. My mother was an awesome woman who loved the Lord, and I miss her dearly. I thank God so much for sustaining me while I am grieving for my mother. I told God that I wanted to start healing from some of the hurt that I experienced in my life, and I wanted to be in a place of peace with others and within myself. So, I prayed and asked God to forgive me for any bitterness or anger that I may have towards someone and myself. Yes, you can have anger towards yourself if your heart is not in the right standing with God. So, I started practicing the discipline of forgiveness.
The one way that I practice the discipline of forgiveness is by meditating on God’s Word through studying the Bible. Paul said, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19, ESV). I hold on to God’s promises of supplying my every need which is emotional, mental, physical, financial, and spiritual. My relationship with God is very important to me and if I want to emulate the image of God, I need to forgive.
Forgiving someone is not easy if you do not have Christ in your life to guide you and to encourage you. Christ said, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32, ESV). This verse is a command from Christ, he is expressing to us to be gentle, compassionate, and merciful. These actions not only demonstrate love, but they also manifest grace.
When an individual forgives, they are incredibly kind. The individual is not only releasing themselves from the “hurt” they are also releasing that person. Being compassionate is a character that involves healing for both parties. Even though healing may take some time, at least it began. Having and showing mercy, exemplifies God’s character. “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36, ESV). Mercy is not isolated to forgiving, mercy wants us to also love. Because love is patient, kind, and does not envy or boast. Neither arrogant nor rude. It does not want its way. It isn’t resentful, does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with truth. It bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things (1 Cor. 13:4-7).
Meditating on God’s Word will not only help someone to forgive, but it will also give him or her peace, and most importantly God will forgive you. “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses” (Mark 11:25, ESV). “But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matt. 6:15, ESV).
So, please join me, starting today, in showing forgiveness and grace towards others.
