Forgiveness – Releasing to Embrace

Here is one of the most profound processes you will ever know.  Strive to master it.

Text for Today – Ephesians 4:32 – . . . forgiving one another even as Christ . . .

Forgiveness is far more than an event.  It is rather a lifelong process to be lived out daily by faith.  It is, without a doubt, one of the strongest works in the love walk you will ever be required to fulfill; and required we are!  One of the roadblocks to our success in this arena has been our thinking that sees forgiveness simply as an act,, and failing to understand that it is, indeed, a process, and a lifelong process at that.  Let’s look at the process.

FORGIVENESS – This is the first step.  It is the ACT released.  Whatever  that person did, the offense committed must be released before you can go further.  What has been done TO YOU must be put aside, for if you do not forgive, you will not be forgiven.  And to remain unforgiven is an evil and insidious place in which to exist.  So, forgive; release the act, and you do that by faith.

FORGETTING – Step two is the HURT released.  Our forgiveness MUST be as Christ does it, and when Jesus forgives, He forgets what He has forgiven, never to remember it against you again.  As long as you old on to the pain that resulted from the act against you, there will be a constant reminder that draws you back to relive that act again and again.  So, forget; release the hurt, and you do it by faith.

FORGIVENESS FORGOTTEN – Step three is the MEMORY released.  I’m sure you have heard the old adage, “out of sight, out of mind.”  The nature of the human mind is basically that simple.  Refuse to look upon what you wish to avoid.  Choose rather to gaze steadily upon that you wish to embrace.  Memories are thought of what has been.  If you don’t want what has been, then think on what you desire; what will be.  So, forget you had to forgive and release the memory, and you do it by faith.

RIGHTEOUSNESS REMEMBERED – The final step is LOVE embraced.  This is a lifelong commitment to process.  This is where you bring the love walk, the keeping of His commandments, the doing of the Word, to a whole new level of excellence in your life.  a major portion of this is understanding what righteousness does.  Righteousness “speaks.”  This is a royal demonstration of faith working by love.  So, remember righteousness, speak and do the Word, and yes, you got it, you do it by faith.

Manna for Today – Matthew 18:15-20; 1 John 5:3; Galatians 5:1; Mark 11:25-26; Romans 10:6-10