Barbra Gentry-Pugh

The Heartbeat of The JOY of FORGIVING

August 21, 2022

“As those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.” Colossians 3:12-13

“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness, no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root rises up to cause trouble and defile many.” Hebrews 12:14-15.

We are all guilty at some point in our lives of offending others, and we have all been offended by other people. This is mainly a direct result of living in a fallen world. But as Believers in Christ, we are to obey the Word of God and forgive. Matthew 6:14-15 says, “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (NLT)

In my biblical training and counseling experience, often the sin of unforgiveness was committed against those who were the closest as well as the dearest. It can be the result of ungodly pride and self-righteousness. Unforgiveness is a powerful and deadly force. It can cause marriages and families to break up. It is often a family sin. Husbands won’t forgive their wives; wives won’t forgive their husbands; children won’t forgive their parents and parents won’t forgive their children. The Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 3:7, says “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.” Forgiving others for their sins toward you will never make a wrong right. We are commanded to forgive the offense; however, we are not commanded to forget. The hurt, pain, and memory will still be there. It is our responsibility as Christians to release them, so we won’t bring ourselves into the bondage of unforgiveness. Christ has commanded that we live a lifestyle of forgiveness. It is those who are spiritually strong who know how to forgive. We cannot stop forgiving others because Christ has not stopped forgiving us.

Unforgiveness is Dangerous. It is as dangerous because it robs you of the full life God intends for you and hinders you from walking in freedom and purpose. It is a deadly virus and if left untreated can destroy lives, and deprives you of physical, emotional, and spiritual health. The destructive forces of unforgiveness produce deadly emotions, destroy families, damage children, and affect marriages. It has caused churches to split or fall apart. It can create a hostile atmosphere in a nation and world. All religions of the world value forgiveness, but only Christianity requires it!

Unforgiveness: Spiritual Poison! It’s impossible to live a victorious Christian life with unforgiveness in our hearts. The refusal or inability to forgive destroys relationships. Unforgiveness can be a deadly force in your life, if left untreated. It is the single most popular poison that the enemy uses against God’s people, and it is one of the deadliest poisons a person can take spiritually. It may not be obvious at first, but the poison is doing its hidden work inside your heart. It blocks your fellowship with Christ and poisons the soul and imprisons the mind. The sin of unforgiveness locks the unforgiving person in their own self-made prison. The Word of God says in Romans 12:17-19, “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”

Unforgiveness can Block God from Answering Your Prayers! Mark 11:24, 25, “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought (something) against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” As Believers in Christ to be willfully unforgiving can be categorized as unthinkable. We who have been forgiven by God Himself have no right to withhold forgiveness from others. In fact, Scripture plainly commands us to forgive in the same manner as we have received forgiveness. Since God commands us to forgive others, refusing to do so is an act of direct disobedience against Him.

Unforgiveness: A Disease! Unforgiveness has been classified in medical books as a disease. It has been linked to a variety of health issues and conditions. Dr. Don Colbert, M.D. says, “One of the secret causes of stress plaguing millions of people is unforgiveness.” Stress leads to a host of other illnesses that lands people in the hospitals daily.

Unforgiveness Shows We Don’t Really Love Jesus! In John 15:12, Jesus commands us to love one another, as He has loved us. True love doesn’t hold bitterness or unforgiveness against that person. If you are bitter or hold unforgiveness against others, then you don’t love them as Christ loved us. If you don’t keep Jesus’ commandments, then it proves you don’t love Him. The Bible commands you to forgive others when they have wronged you and to seek forgiveness when you have wronged others. We all must do this to follow the example of God!

The Blessings of Forgiveness!

When You Forgive:

~ it opens you up to God’s forgiveness. Matthew 6:15

~ it puts you in a receiving position when you pray. Mark 11:24, 25

~ it helps you become spiritually fruitful. John 15:10, 12, 5.

~ you will know that you have passed from spiritual death to being reconciled with your heavenly Father when you love each other. 1 John 3:14.

~ you keep God’s commandments and love one another; you prove that you love Jesus. John 14:21.

~ and you abide in Christ’s love. John 15:10.

What an Awesome Blessing It Is To Forgive!

Rx: A JOYFUL HEART

Ephesians. 4:32. “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” Forgiveness reflects the character of God.

Galatians 5:22-23. “When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.”

FATHER GOD: Thank You for being our Heavenly Father. Please HELP us to put LOVE in action by demonstrating the gifts of Your Agape LOVE- JOY, forgiveness, patience, kindness, peace, and love for truth. Help us to represent You well by forgiving, in the Precious, Powerful and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen!