FORGIVENESS: To pardon, to renounce anger or a resentment, liberation, setting free, unchaining, unshackling, unbinding.

This is one of my favorite subjects. I feel that we cannot be complete spiritually unless we can learn to forgive. My personal view is that unforgivness can only lead to resentment. One of my favorite sayings is, “Resentment is the punishment I give myself for someone else’s shortcomings”.

I feel that the only protection against developing a heart of bitterness is Unconditional Forgiveness. (Unconditional…no matter what!!) I have to really pray hard for God to make me ungrudgingly and willing to forgive unconditionally. It is not easy for me. “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).

Just as God forgives our wrongdoings again and again, we also need to forgive and let go of others’ wrongdoings toward us. Jesus instructed Peter to forgive a person “seventy times seven”. In my interpretation that means every time; as He forgives us every time we ask Him. Even as His hands and feet were nailed to the cross, Jesus asked his Father to forgive the people who were causing his pain. This tells me that in order for Him to ask his Father to forgive them, He also had forgiven them.

I believe that forgiveness is a very important part of our lives. In order to receive forgiveness, we also must learn to give it. I feel that having a heart of forgiveness is God’s will for us.

Good subject. Love you.