Forgiveness Is Crucial

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye (Colossians 3:13).

To be obedient to God, the Bible tells us that we must forgive. It's a command, not a suggestion. It is God's will that we forgive those who wrong us. Others have set the example for us. Two of them were Christ and Stephen. Remember, even when being unjustly crucified and enduring agony, Jesus said "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Likewise, when he was being stoned to death, Stephen cried out, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge."

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 8).

Being quick to forgive slams the door in Satan's face and prevents him from working his havoc among believers. Harboring hard feelings and holding grudges can have devastating effects, not only on the parties involved but also on families, friends, and even churches. The ripple effect can go far beyond what we might imagine.

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you (Luke 6:27).

When we struggle to forgive someone, we should pray for them and try to serve them in some way. Upon salvation, we are filled with God's love. We are meant to share this love with others, including our enemies. As we give it away, we are continuously filled. Helping others changes our hearts and theirs. Such forgiveness can have as much of a positive effect as unforgiveness does a negative one.

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; . . . (Psalms 28:7).

And the good news is that you don't have to find the strength and power to forgive on your own. In fact, you likely can't. Rely on God and His Holy Spirit within you. He will lead you every step of the way, and you'll find precious peace and freedom beyond all understanding at the end of the journey. Be overcomers in Christ.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Philippians 4:13).

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