We all want to be forgiven; however, we are not all ready to forgive. Why is that? It stems from when Adam went against GOD and he became sinful man. Adam wanted forgiveness and he got it. The problem was that what he did could not be undone. He felt shame for his actions. The Bible does not tell us if Adam sinned anymore and I like to think that he did not. However, he witnessed the result of sin through his sons Cain and Abel. Remember the very first murder that took place? We personally do wrong and we want to be forgiven. Someone does wrong against us and we are not so forgiving. What if GOD said in HIS heart; that we deserve all the punishment that HE can muster up against us for being sinners. We could not handle GODs wrath and if HE left us to our own devices there may not be a planet left. Look at the world around us today; look at what sin is doing. GOD did not want this for us. GOD is a loving GOD and HE forgives. When we accept HIS, SON, JESUS we are washed and cleansed. We are also given a brand new nature that keeps us from purposefully sinning. We are propelled to ask GOD for HIS forgiveness not once but often. Though we choose not to sin daily; we are human. There are times when we have evil thoughts or we may say something not loving or we act out in a way that is not pleasing to GOD. This is why we go to the throne of GOD asking for forgiveness often. Peter asked JESUS this question: “LORD, how many times must I forgive my brother (in JESUS; the faith) when he sins against me? Is the limit 7 times? JESUS answered Peter: 70 times 7. Matthew 18:21-22
That’s 490 times per day. Now I’m not sure if the translation is really towards just our brothers and sisters in the faith. So I use that practice towards non-believers as well. My reason is because sisters and brothers in the body of CHRIST do not make a practice to sin against each other. Non-believers; however, sin in and out of sleep. Sometimes they do things on purpose and sometimes not. Let me ask you a question; when a member of your family who is a non-believer do anything to you that comes against you; do you hold a grudge and cut them off or do you forgive them and continue to love on them? We can’t pick and chose GOD does not pick and chose. GOD loved the entire planet so much that HE gave HIS only begotten SON to die for sinful man. No One was left out. When we forgive we are actually giving a pardon we end the debt against that person. That is what GOD did for each and every one of us. That is what we are to do to others. Don’t hold on to an offense let it go. What better way to get back at the person who came against you than to forgive them. It’s for your benefit more so than theirs. Forgiveness frees you up to continue to walk and live in the blessings of GOD. Let us not block our blessings there are too many of them and we want to experience as many of them on earth as we can before we cross over from earth to sleep waiting on the resurrection of JESUS. That is if HE does not come back while there is still breath in our bodies.
Seek GOD’s forgiveness. Confess sins to HIM, HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9
If you think that you have done way too much for GOD to forgive you; think again; it’s not true. GOD wants to forgive you and HE wants to be close to you. The LORD is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. Numbers 14:18
GOD alone will blot out your sins for HIS own sake and will never think of them again. Isaiah 43:25
Don’t forget; forgive others. Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember the LORD forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13