By: Gabriel E.O.F. Omoboriola

 

TOPIC:                  Why should I forgive?

 

TEXT:            Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgive you [Colossians 3:13]

 

Introduction

 

The expression of forgiveness by God and the acceptance by human gave birth to Christianity. In light with this, it needs no emphasis that forgiveness is one of the fundamental requirements of Christianity. It is often assumed that every Christian knows much about forgiveness but it is obvious that most Christian do not practice this godly concept of forgiveness.

 

To forgive means to pardon or excuse: no longer blame or be angry with someone who had done you wrong. Forgiveness is the total cancellation of someone’s offenses without future remembrance. As I am often asked by people who thought they have been hurt beyond forgiveness: why should I forgive? Why should I forgive that man that abused me? Why should I forgive that wicked father that abandoned me? Why should I forgive that heartless man or woman that divorced me? Why should I forgive that crazy thing that broke my heart? Why should I forgive that fellow that duped me?

 

Treasured friend, here is the voice of the Lord:

 

Forgive because God forgave You.

 

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while

we were still sinners, Christ died for us [Romans 5:8]

 

While we were still in our sin, God forgave us our sin. We were not forgiven because we deserve it but He forgave us unconditionally; and it is left to every individual to accept and live in the reality of that forgiveness. So, I say forgive because God forgave you.

 

Forgive because God requires you to Forgive

 

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other,

just as in Christ God  forgave you {Ephesians 4:32}

 

Another reason why you should forgive is that, God requires everyone of us to forgive others. According to this scriptural verse, it is obligatory that you forgive any person who has offended you or who will offend you; because we were God’s object of forgiveness, we must also exhibit that attribute of forgiveness at all time {Colossians 3:13}.

 

Forgive so that you will be forgiven

 

For if you forgive men when  they sin against you, your

Heavenly father will will also forgive you. But if you do not

forgive men their sins, your father will not forgive your

sins {Matthew 6: 14-15}

 

The equation is very simple and balanced. If you forgive those who sin against you, you will surely find forgiveness but if you do not forgive those who have offended you, you will not find forgiveness before God. No matter your giving ability, your Church commitment, level of holiness and even you faith, if you do not forgive those who have offended, no matter the degree of the offense, you will also not be forgiven of your sins {Mark 11:25}.

 

Give a thought to this: If your sins are not forgiven, can you make heaven with unforgiving sins? It needs no emphasis that, unforgiveness will take you to hell fire. Forgive those who have offended you so that you too will be forgiven {Luke 11:4}

 

Forgive because through it, you may win that person

 

If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault,

just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won

your brother over {Matthew 18:15}

 

A lady was raped by a young man who happens to be his hall mate in school. This incident happened to be the most sorrowful event in the life of this lady but after been told about the concept of forgiveness by her church youth pastor, she wept bitterly as she struggled to forgive this young man. After some hours, she said, she has forgiven him. The next day, she went to see the young man. The young man was terrified seeing this lady as he thought he was under arrest. This young man was sweep on his feet when this lady told him that she has come only to tell him that she has forgiven him and that Jesus loves him. To cut the story short, this young man today is a Pastor.

 

Through forgiveness, we can win those who offended over to God’s side. Vengeance is of the Lord and he has not given any man that responsibility. Through your forgiveness, you can save a destiny.

 

Forgive for you not to be punished for unforgiveness

 

…Then the master called the servant in. You wicked servant, he said, I

cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have

had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you? In anger his master

turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he

owed {Matthew 18: 21-25}

 

The fellow in the scriptural portion above was forgiven of his debt but he refuses to forgive his fellow servant who is indebted to him. In so doing, his attitude attracted the wrath of his master. You and I have been forgiven our sins and if we refuse to forgive anyone who offends us, we shall face the divine wrath of God and if we die in our unforgiving life, we will definitely loose our place in heaven.

 

Untold number of Christians is suffering from the sin of unforgiveness. They have someone or group of people captive in their mind and until they forgive and release such person or people, the wrath of God will continually be upon them. Forgive for you not to be punished for unforgiveness.

 

Forgive to avoid unforgiveness and bitterness

 

Outside being punished for unforgiveness, we also punish ourselves when we do not forgive people who have offended us. Unforgiveness leads to bitterness and bitterness leads to numerous diseases, mostly heart diseases. So many people had lost their lives because they refused to forgive people who offended them. One of the famous children of unforgiveness is high blood pressure. Stop tormenting yourself. Forgive that man. I say, forgive that woman in order to avoid unforgiveness and bitterness.

 

Conclusion

Unforgiveness is a sin because it violates God’s command and through it, you also incure God’s wrath and give the devil a legal ground to operate in you life. Each time we violate God’s law, the devil usually take advantage of it unless we repent of it.

 

Who have you held captive in your mind? Forgive that person today. The act of forgiven is not optional but very compulsory. Forgive so that through unforgiveness, you may not loose both your present and posterity. Forgive! You cant’ afford unforgiveness.

 

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