Forgiveness for many is this abstract concept that we’ve all heard for a lifetime to ‘do it’ but yet beyond that there isn’t much. Sit in any church and any pastor anywhere in the world will tell you there is nothing new there. It’s what happens when you forgive that sometimes no one talks about; which is course there must be a reason. Whatever that reason or reason are is not as important as actually know what happens when you forgive.
To begin forgiveness is both an event and a process. Through the event things occur and equally as such; the process of forgiveness numerous things are also occurring; and sometimes simultaneously. So what it is that takes place when you forgive?
1- There is a release within is displayed outward. When you harbor unforgiveness it is on display whether you like it or not. What is in the heart comes out the mouth and well; unforgiveness is no different. When you release the clutter of it; not only will you feel it physically but others will see the release. They may not fully understand what has taken place although they will know there is a transformation.
2- Your physically body will change. When I went through the process of forgiveness I had no clue how life changing it would be; to my body. I remember those days I spent in my room surrendering all the pain, bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness that was taking up space in my mind, body and spirit and had really no idea of what was actually taking place. Sure I had knew Romans 12:2 where it tells us to be transformed by the renewing of my mind although I didn’t catch on that it meant the body too. As a result when I had my first phone call after that experience I sounded different. The tone of my voice was different. Not only that; my eye color changed. This would make sense as when we make the choice to live in darkness we are literally surrounded by it; and I definitely was I just didn’t know it or even that unforgiveness is a form of darkness.
3- Your relationships change. Your relationships change because your heart is no longer as it was before you forgave. Those in your life will experience the new and softer you and in ways that I can’t begin to describe! My relationship with my biological mother changed drastically where I didn’t hate or resent her any more; my heart changed to accept and love her as Jesus did. The fact that she abandoned me all those years ago wasn’t something for her to pay for any longer. I was free and so was she. The release of forgiveness releases the bloom of your relationships because the bondage over them is removed.
4- You are changed. You are not the same person as you were before you made the choice to forgive; you can’t be. You cannot go through a life changing process and then be just as you were. The change is too dramatic. It would be similar to those who return from tour of duty for the military to come back with nothing being different or parents to go back and live as though they did before having children. It simply cannot be done. You are not who you were which means nothing in your life will ever be from that moment on. And praise God for that because the direction you would have gone would have only been further from Him.
5- The door to your life and purpose can open. Anything that is not of God that you allow to enter your life is a hindrance. Any hindrance only separates you from God; and that includes unforgiveness and your thinking. What happens is that any distortion of thought will keep you operating at a false level of action. Sure you may have a ‘good’ plan and life but that does not mean it is the ‘God’ plan for your life at all. When you forgive, you are changed. This means that going back to what you were once doing in the way that you were doing won’t be the same. It can’t be. You are not who you were when you were doing what you were doing. And as such trying to be who you were when you are not will prove to be very uncomfortable. Now this is not to say that you have a new identity and you should just go switch careers by any means but what it does mean is that for who you are becoming in the process of forgiveness; new opportunities will come. They can’t not!
You may know right at this very moment that God has something big in store for your life; and He does. Yet for some reason you just can’t seem to get to it; regardless of how many classes you take or life coaching sessions- nothing seems to work. That would be correct. The correct doors will open for you to enter and with ease because you will have moved yourself out of the way for God to work and through the process of forgiveness; you are becoming more who He created you to be which means the doors He desires will open. My testimony is proof of this. There is no way for me to write about forgiveness had I not walked through it. There is no life on the side of death in any realm.
6- Your relationship with the Lord will deepen. When the internal clutter is removed your hearing increases, you will walk in higher level of authority because you can and understand it; and you will grow in Him and His love in ways that you just have to experience for yourself. The way in which you see other people and their struggles will be more in line with His Word. Your heart for people will change and how you love and receive love from others will change; all because there is more of Him operating in you. It’s always been there it was just unforgiveness covering it all up. When it removed; the freedom to explore your relationship with the Lord will expound exponentially and for the betterment of His Kingdom.
7- You will be on your way to become who God intended in the beginning. God created you with very specific attributes and what a glorious things that is! The God of the universe had you in mind from before the foundation of the earth. You are something special dear beloved; and the enemy wants to destroy every bit of it. The best news is that when you forgive you are removing the enemy’s assignment to destroy you. You are taking the steps toward becoming who God created you to be from the very start. Whatever was eating you from the inside out will no longer have the power to control you; to rob you of your real identity. As you experience the process of forgiveness you will begin to be revealed to you and to the entire world. Gone is the past and everything with it and the real you can begin to live as God intended. The new wine can be poured into the new wineskin after all!
We serve a God who makes the impossible possible. A God that has every good thing in store for you who withholds no good thing. He has it all for you and while there is a plot to steal your life; through simply forgiving you can be restored to God’s original design. You can become who He created from all along. It’s right there all you have to do is get ready and do it! And do it before it’s too late.
For more about forgiveness watch ‘Living in Forgiveness’ weeknights at 9:30pm CST on the UANetwork.
Forgiveness isn’t easy. In fact it is one of the toughest challenges people face; along with overcoming fears of public speaking. Self-sabotage comes in when people do not recognize that forgiveness will open the pathway to life.The best way to overcome self-sabotage is to forgive.
When you choose to live in unforgiveness you are only hurting yourself. Period. You are hindering everything in your life. Nothing can grow through concrete and when you are unforgiving that is as hard as you are. And concrete takes a jackhammer to break. As such; your life will be as grey as the concrete. If only I knew this sooner.
What I didn’t know was holding me back. I heard all the sermons to ‘forgive’ and bla bla bla which were nicely stated but beyond that so what? I didn’t know what I was blocking in my life, how I was actually sabotaging my life. I had no clue! And perhaps you are me where you have heard it all a thousand or a million times to forgive and sure sure ‘I know I need to’ and then another year goes by. Well; don’t be like me. Don’t sabotage your life and future. Forgive. And what does that mean exactly? You may too be wondering how you are sabotaging your life by not forgiving so let me clearly spell it out for you:
1)Your unforgiveness hurts you most. Matthew 15:18 is clear: ‘But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.’ Hurt people hurt people and it is out of pain that unforgiveness operates. But get this: it’s a downward spiral. Your hurt keeps you hurting and while others can see it; they can’t free you. There is nothing that anyone else can do for you except tell you the obvious- forgive. When you don’t you are allowing the sin and pain caused by others (and yourself) to be what you live in. The bitterness, resentment, anger, broken relationships, strife, impatience and more are all what hurt those who don’t forgive. People not living in that aren’t hurt. So if you want healing forgive.
2) Your unforgiveness hinders you the most. God has a plan for your life. Period. Whether you agree or not doesn’t change the Truth from being true. There is a plan and when you choose to not forgive you are hindering that plan. You see; unforgiveness is one of the biggest hindrances to forward progress than you will ever enounter. There is nothing greater because that hindrance of unforgiveness keeps you living less than. It keeps you from your spiritual gifts. It keeps you from being healthy and in healthy relationships and it keeps you from being used by God to the full capacity that He intended.
I remember a time in my life when I cried out to the Lord asking to be used; and nothing. Then of course I felt more rejected and dejected because even God didn’t want me. Now; that was tough to get over-myself that is. You see; God couldn’t do anything in me so long as I was unforgiving because everything He is using me for is based upon the very thing that was my struggle. Forgiving others!
3) Your unforgiveness halts your life. When you look at your life are you believing God for the breakthrough? Are you wanting your business to expand? Your church to grow? Your marriage to be as exciting as it was in the beginning? Stop sabotaging yourself! Forgive.
If nothing in your life is progressing the way that it should; there is a reason. There is always a reason; and more often than not it is the reason you do not yet know.
Case in point: I thought I forgave. I truly did. I said all the words that the preachers said ‘I forgive’ you and yada yada yada. I played the game and claimed it all but yet nothing was happening in my life. And I had no idea why. It was like being stuck at a red light that just never changed. And there I sat.
When the clue came in the form of a phone call and my Bible teacher bluntly telling me my unforgiveness issue I’ll be honest; I was scared. I was shocked and felt like I was going to puke. I thought I dealt with my unforgiveness. I had no idea what was left and the journey that I was going to be taking. Absolutely none. Not only this; I had no clue that I sat at that red light for years longer than I needed.
In your life; what isn’t moving at the pace that it should be? What is the breakthrough you are believing God for? It doesn’t matter what it is what matters is that you carefully inquire of the Lord about the level of self-sabotage that has entered your life unknowingly or knowingly so that you can overcome it; and the best way is through forgiveness. It is one of the best means of breakthrough without needles or terrible side effects.
For more about forgiveness and wholeness in Christ watch ‘Living in Forgiveness’ weeknights at 9:30pm CST on the UANetwork.
Look around; times are changing. People are changing; the world is changing. No longer are the things that once were reality for today. Gone are the days of leaving your home or vehicle with the door unlocked. Gone are the days of most people carrying cash. Gone are the days of the votes of people counting for something. Gone are the days of people reading maps. And; gone are the days where more people went to church than left. In this day it is time to be prepared and know what your weapon of choice is. Sure you may have the Springfield .45 or the Kimber; or even that sweet AR 15 but so what? What good will it do you when you have no more ammunition? How then will you survive? You need something better, sturdier; stronger, more protective and resilient in any times. You need stronger, better, infinite in all ways. You simply need to be in relationship with Jesus Christ. And through Him; love for there is no other way.
You see; Jesus has been through it all and He came for you. For you! He came to set the captives free and the only way to be free is through Him. You may take your own path; but a good intelligent path is not the God path of wisdom. Your path may have some man-made created routes that will suffice for a time; but what about when time runs short? What then? Your relationship with Jesus will withstand the times of anything. Are you ready? Are you pursuing?
It isn’t about a ‘what if’ scenario any longer but rather a ‘how do I walk in love’ daily in Christ scenario because what if is pure extrapolation in the mind. The events are already occurring on a global scale. Russia invades, men boast; microchipping is increasing and yet the same call from Christ is still the same. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart mind and soul; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Luke 10:27) There is a reason why this is written. Plainly put- it is what will be your protection in any and all days; always.
As we examine where we are and where we are going; it is beyond time yet still time to love one another. We must. We must for ourselves, for our children and their children; and for the call of those who are called followers of Christ; or Believers; or Saints. It is through love in Christ that the entire world can and must be changed. It is time that each of us lay down our hate and pick up our Bibles. (and read them) It is time that we turn off the media’s focus and attention on segregation and separation and starting grow in love for that is where we all will see that none are any different. We all are the same; men, women; the same.
So it begs the question: what are you willing to do? What are you willing to fight for? A loaf of bread? A new i-phone? Or how about a changed heart in the name of Jesus that will move every mountain and break barriers that brings the experience of God to every person you encounter?
It begins with me and it begins with you. When the hearts of people are changed; everything else changes too. One need to look at Hitler and see the devastation of that change in heart or one can focus on Jesus and become more like Him and as a result; change the world one person at a time through love. And that will be the weapon that will last longer than any other weapon you could ever have in your artillery.
Have you ever noticed in society how much hatred there is toward women? And toward men? The resentment about everything and how much we objectify one another. Where did this come from? It started in Genesis if you must know the truth. You see; Adam and Eve were ‘Adam’ before the fall. It was after the fall that they became separate. And once separate everything changed.
Ever notice that men think women talk too much and men don’t listen? Sure right? Well; Adam lost everything when he listened to a woman; including his manhood. She was like the seductress in Proverbs and led him straight to the grave. Never mind it was God who ordered Adam to take care of everything in the garden right?
The woman lost her protector in the man and now women today see that men don’t protect them; so what do they need them for? They can do it all on their own and think they are oh so independent! The lack of respect for men has dwindled so much so that the New York Fashion Week has men parading in skirts! And all the while the enemy sits back and laughs at how stupid people are!
The good news is that there is a solution. There is. It’s Jesus. He came to set the captives free and that means free! It is through Him we can love, forgive, be restored; and cherish and respect one another. It is through Him that all things can be done- the impossible possible! It is through Him that lives will be changed and it starts with you making the choice today to give up your false ideas, your false independence, that pride, that fake strength; and all the other pretenses you live by that you don’t hide very well.
It’s time to step it up and live like you are worth something- because you are. You are worthy of the Sonship that comes with being a Son of the King Most High. It’s time to repent and seek forgiveness of the treatment of disrespect of men and the hatred of women; so that times of refreshing may come. And we can look around society and see that we need refreshing!
Ask yourself this: If Jesus treated you the way you treat others where would you be?
Listen and watch ‘Living in Forgiveness’ daily at 12pm & 9:30pm CST.
God created man for relationship. That is clear starting Genesis yet because of sin everything changed. While Adam and Eve weren’t born into sin we know that we are and that for us to hear from God it requires spending time with Him. As such an increased in hearing from God can come through forgiveness. On the opposite end not dealing with issues of forgiveness only creates separation from Him which leads many in the direction clearly not of God.
What I didn’t know or even realize or have a clue of was that my unforgiveness was keeping me separated from God. While it may sound obvious and now it is; the catch was that I did not even know I had an ounce of unforgiveness at all. I guess I may have fallen into the word of faith movement; name it and claim and it and so I probably claimed forgiveness but never actually did anything but speak it only to find out years later that if you do nothing you are worse off. And so I was.
I was living my life thinking it was everyone else yet in reality I was the one in sin and yes; unforgiveness is sin. I was the one who needed to repent and I was the one that had the decreased hearing from God. And all the while I blamed God. Go figure that in my disobedience I was so prideful to think the issue was God. So if you are saying God doesn’t talk to you or that you don’t hear from Him; it’s not Him. It’s you. Yes. It is you.
The increase in hearing will come when you make the choice to obey God’s Word and just do it; which by the way isn’t first from Nike but in God’s Word.Matthew 6:4 starts the sentence with ‘Just do it’. So yet again God’s Word proves there is nothing new under the sun; not even a slogan. And in an increased hearing from God your life will change.
So how does forgiveness increase healing? Three simple ways:
- Forgiveness is sin dealt with. Unforgiveness is sin and sin separates us from God. It doesn’t matter how big or large; separation is separation. And being off the mark can prove disastrous; just ask any sniper. It is your choice to be obedient and repent of the sin so that you can move forward and live in obedience. Acts 3:19 is clear ‘Repent, and seek forgiveness so that times of refreshing may come.’ Nothing that you want comes without repentance first. When you repent you are dealing with the sin at hand and unforgiveness is a big one most don’t recognize.
- Forgiveness corrects your perception. Your perception when living in unforgiveness is distorted. There is no way for it to not be. And with about 40 symptoms of unforgiveness (https://julieblair.com/product/overcoming-symptoms-of-unforgiveness/) it is no wonder why people aren’t living in the power and authority; or hearing from God as they should be. Every symptom of unforgiveness distorts your perception of you, your involvement in whatever situation it was or is, the other people involved; and even God. In my life my incorrect perception had me believing that my mother didn’t want me and therefore I lived a life based upon the rejection and abandonment. Once I forgave her I learned something. When she my shared the events and the ultimatum she was given by the social worker who was trying to buy me everything changed. I realized that this wasn’t a mother who hated her daughter but rather a mother in a situation of having her child taken and sold on the baby black market! Who would have ever thought? And see; unforgiveness keeps you living in the mindset that only you have based upon what you know. Well; when living that closed off God could speak anything to you but you wouldn’t be in proper position to receive it because of all the internal clutter. That was me. Forgive and see your perception change to be more in alignment with Him and His Word and ways.
- Forgiveness restores your relationship with Jesus. When sin is dealt with life is different. When the internal clutter is unloaded life too is different. It’s like going to the gym without having to actually go or sweat. The relationship with Jesus can be restored simply through forgiveness. It’s the removal of sin that restores us to Christ. On the other hand the choice to not deal with it simply means choosing the separation. Either way a choice must be made. As you are restored to who God created you to be your hearing will increase.
God has a plan for the life of everyone created; His Word tells us so in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” And in dealing with the sin of unforgiveness it will be much easier to hear what that plan is and then take the steps necessary to live out that plan. Let it be known that included in that plan is a relationship with you. And if you want the fullness of it it will require getting over yourself to overcome unforgiveness to hear from Him. And when you do it will be a sweet melody of life change for your beautiful future in Jesus name.
Failed relationships are not uncommon among people. They change, grow apart, find new interests, move; and a myriad of other things. While statistics continue to reveal that in marital relationships; the divorce rate continues to increase although there is much debate as the cause. The current divorce rate for first time marriage is higher than 50% while for second or third marriage it is said to be even higher.
Many will say that the cause for divorce is marriage which is true; however, it is much deeper than most people will discuss or even recognize. The rate for couples going their separate ways after living common law is also increasing since more people are choosing to cohabitate compared to getting married. Toss into the mix the number of homosexuals who get involved in intimate relationships and additional statistics will reveal more broken relationships. The reasons? The so called relationships experts will claim the proverbial lack of communication, trust, times are changing, financial reasons; and more. While all of these may contribute; not one of them is the hidden core that is left un-investigated. In parent-child relationships it too is evident. Yes the problems may not be the same; however, the outcome still desecrates the lives of those who unknowingly let it.
It is the one killer of relationships that contaminates more people than cancer. It breeds to every area of a person’s life and causes much internal struggle, selfishness, rage, envy, control, bitterness and resentment. It takes no prisoners and it destroys lives through every thought, action; and future behavior. It breaks people down and tortures their lives beyond their wildest imagination. It is one thing that no pill or chemotherapy can cure. It is something so small that can change one’s life in a matter of seconds to the detriment of everyone involved. It ruins lives without fail or hesitation to unsuspecting victims who are too focused on themselves to see what is actually taking their lives. What it is? It is un-forgiveness.
Un-forgiveness is very unforgiving in the pain that it is known to cause. Not only does un-forgiveness wreck havoc on a person spiritually; its physical manifestation is clear for all to see. Unforgiveness has been defined by Worthington and colleagues (Worthington, Sandage,& Berry, 2000; Worthington & Wade, 1999) as a combination of delayed negative emotions (i.e., resentment, bitterness, hostility, hatred, anger, and fear) toward a transgressor. It is clear to understand in this definition how the negative emotions lead to negative thoughts as well as negative or even criminal behaviors. Yes the almost 40 symptoms of un-forgiveness cause one to behave in a manner contrary to the Word of God; however, it is the un-forgiveness that is the root to the internal problem that destroys lives. In addition; for the Christian the consequences are much deeper with a much higher price to pay. Matthew 6:14-15 reads: “
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (KJV)
There are a few words that must be further discussed in order to truly understand the importance of this message. The first word to understand is ‘if’ because this places the responsibility on the person who needs to forgive. To be obedient to Christ this means that forgiveness is a command not an option for a rainy day. ‘If’ a person forgives ‘then’ he or she will be forgiven. It is also important to note that there are over 176 places in the Bible where ‘If you then I’ are stated. There is no way around obedience to Christ through being unforgiving toward anyone for their actions. And if you want healthy, sustainable, godly relationships, family, community and society then it starts with you; and it starts with you living in forgiveness.
There is a time for everything and everything in its time. God created the world in 6 days and rested on the 7th. What He did during the time on the 7th day in terms of rest is left to speculation but rest assured; it was His time. When it comes to forgiveness it too has a time.
In Ecclesiastes 3:1 it tells us: ‘There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens’ which must include forgiveness because it is a command right? Everything is inclusive of all things. We know there is a time for peace and a time for war; a time to tear down and a time to build. And we must grasp in its entirety what that means; else we lose out and in more ways that most can imagine. Forgiveness in many ways is a tearing down and building up as you are tearing down what once was so that what is new can be begin.
You see; there is a time to forgive, be forgiven, and seek forgiveness. The time is now. Yes this very moment and not any time sooner or later. The time is not when you get around to it; or when you think someone else should step up to the plate. No no. There never is not the time now when forgiveness is a command therefore it is always time. You may think that it is on your time; except it will become very challenging to live the life that God has for you on your terms. So your time must be on God’s- and forgiveness is all the time.
Do not treat forgiveness like laundry. Do not attempt it at the latest time possible and only because you don’t feel like going to Wal Mart to buy another 3 pack and so laundry it is. Don’t do that. Many people live their lives this way and what happens is that they and everyone around them and everyone around them too; suffer the consequences. And all just because you wanted what you wanted on your time with no regard for the time around you or the time ahead of you; or the time that you are in. And guess what? You are not most people. Therefore; you cannot live to the ways and means of others or in their time. There is something better for you. And to get it you must act now.
What happens with the mindset of forgiving when you feel like it means you never will; like cleaning the garage. Most people don’t truly ever feel like forgiving; especially when they fell unjustified in even needing to do so in the first place. Don’t fall into that trap. Regardless of what people feel like does not change the fact that forgiveness is a command and yes a choice; but so is life or death. In choosing life it is a choice to choose what comes with it and in the time that it is set to be. While forgiveness may be a process and a healing one at that; does not mean that it is something to be waited to do after your favorite program, after you get married and divorced; or after the Detroit Lions win the Superbowl but rather a lifestyle to achieve and with urgency. The time is now. You never know what will be lost in the time that you chose to not forgive. So don’t wait to find out. Find out all of what happens and will continue to happen when you forgive. Make forgiveness now. Do it for you, do it for those around you; and do it to demonstrate your love and obedience to Christ. Do it now; and then live and bask in it forever.
For more about forgiveness and love watch ‘Living in Forgiveness’ Monday-Friday at 9:30pm CT on the UANetwork. Check your local listing or stream live at www.uanetwork.tv
Each religion has an idea of forgiveness and an interpretation; although the relationship with their Creator is what appears to be missing some in them. Forgiveness may be a part of their ideas although striving to be a better person does not mean that you are. It would be like believing that if you drive your vehicle faster you will become it. In the end being better person may be good if this is the only goal; although being better does not mean anything other than trying harder to not repeat mistakes. And if you subscribe to a religion that has no standards you are only fooling yourself. Sin is sin whether we like it or not and living in it doesn’t change because we just don’t see it. I lived in the sin of unforgiveness for decades and argued that I did not; until I saw the truth. John 8:32 tells us plainly, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (NIV) In knowing the truth it will be up to you to take the steps necessary to doing something with it. Unless something is done and there is restoration of self to your Creator or Abba Father then what really is the point? What would be the point of spending a lifetime trying to be a better person on this earth and still end up going to hades when you die? Once I understood the larger picture of forgiveness as a Christian I grew to the level of maturity of forgiveness and the magnificent role that it should play in the hearts and lives of every Believer.
In Christianity, forgiveness is beyond the act of sin. When there is forgiveness of sins there is a transformation within the person to the original intent that God had in mind. There is a restoration of the person to the Father that takes place that cannot take place in other religions. A man made religion does not restore anyone to who they were created to be because no one knows! These other religions are simply based upon individuals seeking themselves for self-change and then trying to manifest their own change for self-glory and that is even if there is a reason to need forgiveness in the first place.
The life change that occurs through the process of forgiveness is just one reason why it is so important in the life of a Christian. I didn’t know that until I went through it. I did not know how forgiveness would impact my life. Not only this; I had no clue the impact that unforgiveness had on my life and would have continued to have on my life and those around me. The best example I can share takes us back to New Years Eve 2006 and the beginning of 2007.
I spent two full days in my room forgiving. I was given a deadline of what must occur and my elders would pray in agreement with me to ensure that every open doorway of unforgiveness was closed. And so happy New Year! I endured through that time persisting to know what forgiveness was and how or where to begin. I went before the Father and stood there in silence. Then as I fell to my knees I cried; and the continued for what was probably minutes but felt like hours. I was unsure of what I was doing although I knew I had a task to complete and that if I failed my life would be as miserable as it had been to that point. As the hours went by and God spoke clearly to me what the process was, to whom I needed to forgive and all the details that were required my healing and deliverance through forgiveness was in full force.
By the end of the two full days in my room I was never the same. I sent two letters to two people sharing my forgiveness toward them for the pain and agony they caused to my life. One was to my adoptive mother for the abuse I endured at her hands the other was to my biological mother who abandoned me at age three. Both responded. Both lives have been changed.
My adoptive mother apologized for the pain she caused me and asked for forgiveness. She did not know the depth of her actions. My biological mother actually called me and we spoke. Since that time she has given her life to Jesus, became baptized in water and in the Holy Spirit. She has received many spiritual gifts and is a guest host on my television program ‘Living in Forgiveness.’ To underestimate forgiveness is to underestimate the commands and outcomes of God’s Word.
The importance of forgiveness is that it is what will change your life and who you are in Christ. It will change your relationships with other people and with the Father. You cannot not be changed when obedient to the Word of God. So why not make 2016 the year and today the day that your relationship with Christ, your obedience to Him; and your life changing in abundance in Him be the resolutions that you live by? Mark my words- you won’t regret it.
For more about freedom in forgiveness in Christ watch ‘Living in Forgiveness’ Monday-Friday at 9:30pm CT on the UANetwork. Check your local listing or stream live at www.uanetwork.tv. For prayer requests and resources visit www.julieblair.com
Restoration to God is needed because of the choices made in Genesis that caused Adam and Eve to fall. It was never God’s intent for people to be separated from Him. It is not His intent for people today to be separated from Him; yet by the choice to be disobedient to forgiveness; people are. It is very clear in Gen 3:9-10: “But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?’ He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” How often in your life are you hiding from God; all the while He is just waiting for you to be real and return to Him?
When examining this scripture is must be stated that God would be not need to ask Adam and Eve where they were because God is the all-knowing, omnipotent God. He not only did not need to ask where Adam and Eve were; He also knew the decision that they were going to make before they made the decision. He already knows our thoughts and motives and what His purest intentions are; along with what His original plan is for our lives. As we begin to understand how unforgiveness and forgiveness both play a part; we will be able to recognize the changes that manifest either bring us further or closer to Him.
Let it also be known and stated that Adam and Eve would not need to hide if they had not sinned in the first place. It is very clear that sin keeps people hiding; and that is bondage. People today in society are suffering at alarming rates trying to hide in their sins yet it is on display for the world to see. It does not matter if it is sex outside of marriage, living a homosexual lifestyle; or anything else contrary to His Word. Anything not of Him separates and keeps people separated from Him in every realm of life. It is no different than a child hiding today from a parent because of the cookies stolen out of the cookie jar. The separation caused by sin is evident in every facet of life and through forgiveness; it can be restored.
The final point about this scripture that is revealing and should give every person hope is that Adam through his answer, ‘…He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid” that he heard from God. He also reveals he had a relationship with God. God spoke directly to Adam and Eve and they heard Him. You see; God is no different today in that He is speaking to you and perhaps more often than you have ever known or realized. Because God is the same yesterday, today and forever; (Hebrews 13:8) it should give people worldwide hope that they too can hear from God and that God will speak to them. If you are struggling with hearing from God go before Him. Look around you. Just pause and look around. Ask Him to speak to you in a way that you can understand; let it be clear as a fencepost. He is there and speaking directly to you; it is simply a matter of learning how to pay attention. It is a matter of being still before Him. It is a matter of choice and a matter of removing all the obstacles that keep you separated from Him. But rest assured of this; He is there waiting for that communication with you! It is just one reason why He created you from before the foundation of the earth.
The most important command in the Bible is clear; and it’s serious. The command to love they neighbor it is written in Mark 12:31 ‘The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Interesting isn’t it? You may have grown up hearing it but not now where it comes from. I ask again- do you really love your neighbor? It seems in our society that we love twitter, we love a great shoe sale or Duke basketball; even when they miss a championship here or there. But do we love the obese man next door? Do we love the African American across the? Do we love the homosexual couple? Or do we just think we are speaking a good idea in theory?
See; all too often we interact with people and base whether we like them on political stances instead of the people themselves. You like more Democrats if you are one and well; Republicans too like their kind. The Bible is clear to love and missing that means we miss the entire point. Remember it was Jesus at the well speaking to the woman out of love. It was Jesus that died for your sins and for mine; and if you ever claim to be a follower of Christ but have no love then are you truly His follower? Everyone wants to be accepted for who they are and right where they are. Don’t you? The good news is that you are if you merely look to Jesus.
Today I ask you: “Are you loving your neighbor?” Are you living in the land of love or are you too busy judging others because they are not the size 2, driving the vehicle that you think is cool, or drinking your favorite beer? They don’t agree with your stance on refugees or Donald Trump and therefore you are just not ok with them. Are you forcing tolerance in the name of tolerance while being intolerant yourself? Are you looking down on someone because they don’t attend your 40k member mega-church? Or better yet; judging those ministers publicly because of something you think they stand for instead of realizing that in love you cover a multitude of sins? It is simply not the place of any of us to judge anyone as that in and of itself is sin. Who is anyone to look at the life and path of another and condemn them? Am I not just as guilty for the sins I have committed? Sin is sin and we have to remember that. Sure the outcome may be different but that simply is not the point for this moment.
It’s amazing how many don’t realize the magnificent and the magnitude of the words Jesus spoke before His death: ‘Forgive them Father for they know not what they do’ (Luke 23:34) and how true it is! People are hurting by their sins so why judge them even more?
I remember a few years ago I was walking out of a store and a strange gentleman asked me my plans for the evening. I replied ‘none’ and his reply was ‘oh another beautiful lady home on a Friday night.’ Ouch! What I saw though was that the pretty ladies are judged for their looks just as much as the not so pretty ladies; whatever they even look like. In the end- all are home alone on a Friday night and still be judged. And that’s not cool!
We are only called to love our neighbors. It’s that simple. None of us know the specific path that someone has been through. We just don’t. Know one has walked my journey with me except for Jesus and the same is for you. I will be dealt with on Judgment Day as will all of us whether we believe it or; like it or not or want it or not. Through all of this so long as we hold over those who we believe are more sinful than ourselves we are simply playing God. It is not up to any of us to place ourselves in that position as what we think today may be different tomorrow. It is only our responsibility and duty to reach out and love our neighbors and demonstrate that love so that others can see the light and forever be changed. It is our duty to love. And through forgiveness more love will come.