The absolute importance of forgiveness..

I am overwhelmed by what I learned tonight through studying God's Word and through Him speaking to me. I am so excited to share with you a freedom I have found. And perhaps you already know this but when, if ever, have we studied the Word that God does not speak to us in a new way?

What I learned is this -- how deep forgiveness runs in our spiritual lives. I know and believe in the forgiveness of sins and that God sent his son, Jesus to live and walk among us and dwell with us and to ultimately give his life as a ransom for our sins. He came for forgiveness. It's the root of our salvation, that and His grace and mercy.

But, how often did I ever think about the absolute importance of my role in this whole forgiveness concept? I forgive, sure, but have I always forgiven from my heart, my whole heart? Up until tonight, I will admit my answer sometimes was no. I forgave but tonight I know there was still some memory of the pain caused. And especially, the deeper the wound the more likely my whole heart was not involved in the act of forgiveness. What's more, the emphasis of the absolute importance of our forgiveness to others is found all over the Bible. Here's what I camped on tonight alone:

"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6:14-15

"In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." Matthew 18:34-35

"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Mark 11:25
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." Luke 6:37

"If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him." Luke 17:4

"If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." John 20:23

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

Whoa. So tonight I asked God, "so what you're saying is, if I don't forgive, you won't forgive me???" And I have all the 'buts' in the world.. but this, but that, but you said... And He said, "Yes. But I said...forgive others and I will forgive you. Not once, not twice, but over and over again I have told you." Whoa is right!!! How else am I to be healed? I can't, or couldn't until I fully understood this! Man, isn't God soooooo GOOD!!!!!

Then what really got me was this, and it's been there all along! Even the Lord's prayer teaches us this "Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us" Luke 11:4, and even more powerful, in what was the most cruel and undeserving act of mankind, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the cross, in his agonizing pain Jesus declares "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34. WOW. If ever Jesus gave us an example of what we are to do, forgiveness must be a huge part of our salvation.

I truly believe that God revealed to me tonight what a spiritually fine line we walk when we do not forgive. And I for one, want to forgive. With my whole heart. And oh what a freedom of healing He is already pouring into me!

With all my love and forgiveness,

Carol