FORGIVE & FORGET

Colossians 3:13 (NIV) “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV) “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”

Forgiveness is a tricky thing. Forgetting is nearly impossible. God freely forgives us if we confess our guilt and seek that forgiveness. God never forgets those things He has forgiven; He chooses NOT to remember them against us any longer. This must be true because forgetfulness would be a flaw in one’s character and God is perfect, having no flaws in His character whatsoever.

We have a much more difficult time forgiving. When someone wrongs us our sensibilities are knocked askew. We tend to exhibit emotions that can range anywhere on the scale from volcanic to passive. Those emotions normally involve anger on some level. Some of us explode and then are over it. Some hold it inside and have them manifest themselves in the form of an illness. Still others will have a mixed bag of emotions that they struggle with. They want to be angry, yet know they shouldn’t be. Forgiving someone can be a messy business at times. Not all the time, but every once in a while it can be.

Forgetting has its’ own set of challenges. Ideally we need to set our minds about forgetting whatever transgression has been committed against us or a loved one, yet remember so it doesn’t happen to us again. It is a balancing act that requires being void of emotion toward the thing you are forgetting, yet remembering. This is much easier said then done.

In the end it all comes down to God and what He wants to do for us. Our Heavenly Father desires that we not only forgive, but seek out those we know to have something against US to make it right. While that goes against our natural grain, it is done for a purpose. Not only does it give you an opportunity to show that individual the grace and mercy of God in real time, but it also benefits you because of the positive actions you have taken. If they blow you off, then at least you can say you followed God’s directive as prescribed in scripture.

We must always remember that our relationship to God is paramount, with all else taking a back seat. God is the only One Who can save you from yourself and is the only One Who can infuse you with the abilities required to accomplish what He lays out in scripture. He has forgiven you without hesitation and remembers it against you no longer. How can we not strive to be the same with those around us? It is not an instantaneous event, but rather something that we progressively grow into over time.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!