Forgiveness - Why do we find it so hard?
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K
The best things for us spiritually, are usually the hardest for us to do. Why? Because Satan wants us so bound up that we can only focus on ourselves and not the Lord. Forgiving others will indeed free you up to do God's work.
Another example would be, why is it so hard to make time to sit down and be in His word? Because Satan will do everything in his power to distract you from getting closer to the Lord.
In forgiving others, we have to make an effort and push forth even if it's the most difficult thing you've ever done, it will be the most rewarding as well.
Another example would be, why is it so hard to make time to sit down and be in His word? Because Satan will do everything in his power to distract you from getting closer to the Lord.
In forgiving others, we have to make an effort and push forth even if it's the most difficult thing you've ever done, it will be the most rewarding as well.
J
Well, Jesus said to pray and forgive your enemies. So I would say that by 'enemies', this includes non-Christians.
Forgiveness is hard to do because of the fact that we seek for revenge when wrong is done to us. Especially if it takes mostly if not all of your part to try moving on from the situation, extra effort is put in that feels unjustified on your own behalf since the one who has done wrong may not feel any empathy for it.
Forgiveness is hard to do because of the fact that we seek for revenge when wrong is done to us. Especially if it takes mostly if not all of your part to try moving on from the situation, extra effort is put in that feels unjustified on your own behalf since the one who has done wrong may not feel any empathy for it.
We have an inbuilt desire to see justice executed now.
Forgiveness is justice deferred into the hands of our Lord. (He is God the judge).
But our lower nature likes to be as a god and deal out the justice now.
God's patience makes this tough...but we should be thankful He doesn't deal out the justice we deserve.
Forgiveness is justice deferred into the hands of our Lord. (He is God the judge).
But our lower nature likes to be as a god and deal out the justice now.
God's patience makes this tough...but we should be thankful He doesn't deal out the justice we deserve.
What in the world is a religious demon? Anyone who even says something like that obviously doesn't know what they're talking about.
And to address differences in theological views between believers, there is this scripture...
Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
(Romans 14:1-4)
There is even more to that scripture which illustrated the point further, but I prefer not to post long scriptures..
And to address differences in theological views between believers, there is this scripture...
Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
(Romans 14:1-4)
There is even more to that scripture which illustrated the point further, but I prefer not to post long scriptures..
The thought here is one of if you are unable to forgive others it is because you are unable to allow Christ to forgive you. You hold onto sin and transgression so that you can earn approval from the Lord by making yourself better.
Through Gods grace we are forgiven all our sins. Jesus is holy and His holiness is offended by the least of our sins to a far greater degree than anyone could offend us but He forgives us without reserve. It is the flesh that demands recompense for transgression. Grace forgives with no expectation and in hope of charity.
When I am reluctant to forgive I must be reminded to pray for the offenders salvation or if a believer for their restoration to the Lord. The flesh fights but the Spirit forgives.
For the cause of Christ
Roger
Through Gods grace we are forgiven all our sins. Jesus is holy and His holiness is offended by the least of our sins to a far greater degree than anyone could offend us but He forgives us without reserve. It is the flesh that demands recompense for transgression. Grace forgives with no expectation and in hope of charity.
When I am reluctant to forgive I must be reminded to pray for the offenders salvation or if a believer for their restoration to the Lord. The flesh fights but the Spirit forgives.
For the cause of Christ
Roger
M
I don't have a problem forgiving other people, I learnt about that
a long time ago. I've never even blocked anyone on CC. Lol.
I once heard someone speak on forgiveness and they said the people
that you need to forgive the most, are your parents/guardians, yourself
and God but very few people realise that.
People often harbour some ill will towards parents/guardians and may not
even realise it or understand why.
People often blame God for circumstances and question why.
Most people find it harder to forgive themselves than anyone else.
Each of the above can cause just as much pain, bitterness and emotional turmoil than
another person ever can.
Forgiveness is important, it closes the door to the devil, it relieves anger, bitterness
and brings closure, it reduces stress, it enables a person to move forward.
Without forgiveness a person can get stuck in a vicious circle of emotional,
physical and even mental health issues.
a long time ago. I've never even blocked anyone on CC. Lol.
I once heard someone speak on forgiveness and they said the people
that you need to forgive the most, are your parents/guardians, yourself
and God but very few people realise that.
People often harbour some ill will towards parents/guardians and may not
even realise it or understand why.
People often blame God for circumstances and question why.
Most people find it harder to forgive themselves than anyone else.
Each of the above can cause just as much pain, bitterness and emotional turmoil than
another person ever can.
Forgiveness is important, it closes the door to the devil, it relieves anger, bitterness
and brings closure, it reduces stress, it enables a person to move forward.
Without forgiveness a person can get stuck in a vicious circle of emotional,
physical and even mental health issues.
Matthew 18:21-35 “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
[SUP]22 [/SUP]Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
[SUP]23 [/SUP]Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
[SUP]24 [/SUP]And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
[SUP]25 [/SUP]But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
[SUP]26 [/SUP]The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
[SUP]27 [/SUP]Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
[SUP]28 [/SUP]But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
[SUP]29 [/SUP]And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
[SUP]30 [/SUP]And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
[SUP]31 [/SUP]So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
[SUP]32 [/SUP]Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
[SUP]33 [/SUP]Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
[SUP]34 [/SUP]And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him."
Pay attention to what Jesus says here about being cast into prison…
Matthew 5:21-26 “Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:[SUP]22 [/SUP]But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
[SUP]23 [/SUP]Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;[SUP]24 [/SUP]Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.[SUP]25 [/SUP]Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
[SUP]26 [/SUP]Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.”
By not forgiving one another, or being angry with our brother without a cause, or by not trying to reconcile our differences with our adversaries can end up landing us in this spiritual prison of darkness. Remember Jesus came to set us free from captivity and the bondage of sin, but the Devil wants us to be in captivity and in the bondage to sin. And when we are imprisoned by the Devil, we are also in darkness.
But if we abide in the Light of the Truth, the Truth shall set us free. Isaiah 42:7; "To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house."
Isaiah 61:1;"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;"
So if you have apologies to be given, give them. And if you have forgiveness to be given, forgive them. And if you need to be reconciled with a brother, then reconcile your differences while it is called today. And I guarantee if you abide in these things you will feel your heart being set free from the power of darkness. Peace and God bless
[SUP]22 [/SUP]Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
[SUP]23 [/SUP]Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
[SUP]24 [/SUP]And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
[SUP]25 [/SUP]But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
[SUP]26 [/SUP]The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
[SUP]27 [/SUP]Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
[SUP]28 [/SUP]But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
[SUP]29 [/SUP]And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
[SUP]30 [/SUP]And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
[SUP]31 [/SUP]So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
[SUP]32 [/SUP]Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
[SUP]33 [/SUP]Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
[SUP]34 [/SUP]And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him."
Pay attention to what Jesus says here about being cast into prison…
Matthew 5:21-26 “Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:[SUP]22 [/SUP]But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
[SUP]23 [/SUP]Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;[SUP]24 [/SUP]Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.[SUP]25 [/SUP]Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
[SUP]26 [/SUP]Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.”
By not forgiving one another, or being angry with our brother without a cause, or by not trying to reconcile our differences with our adversaries can end up landing us in this spiritual prison of darkness. Remember Jesus came to set us free from captivity and the bondage of sin, but the Devil wants us to be in captivity and in the bondage to sin. And when we are imprisoned by the Devil, we are also in darkness.
But if we abide in the Light of the Truth, the Truth shall set us free. Isaiah 42:7; "To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house."
Isaiah 61:1;"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;"
So if you have apologies to be given, give them. And if you have forgiveness to be given, forgive them. And if you need to be reconciled with a brother, then reconcile your differences while it is called today. And I guarantee if you abide in these things you will feel your heart being set free from the power of darkness. Peace and God bless
C
Everything I've read here doesn't explain a lot of verses.
Explain Matthew 18 where if someone doesn't listen and they keep sinning against us, we are to take two or three others and also the church at some point. The point of the passage is that if they don't listen, we are to let them be like publicans and tax collectors and Jews had no dealings with publicans or tax collectors. I was tickled at my church that they actually said we could do it because the rest of the Christian church says we can't.
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Another verse they say is to forgive as God has forgiven us. How has God forgiven us? Did we repent? Did we confess our sins to Jesus? Did we tell Jesus we were wrong?
I have a relative who says, I can't love you because you are a Christian.
It is also unsafe to be threatened with lawsuits, to have family members victims of identity theft and to be with people who are going to use and abuse you.
This is the reader's digest version. There is more involved.
1 Corinthians 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
"Put away" actually means "lift up and out".
Blue Letter Bible - Lexicon
You have pastors reducing sin to a misunderstanding or always teaching that we should forgive because we're wrong but the Bible says to put away that wicked person. Following Paul would split some churches and it would sound like forgiveness but how can I forgive someone who isn't wrong? If they don't admit they are wrong then what do I have to forgive them for? When you came to Christ, did you confess your sins? Did Christ forgive you? Then how am I supposed to forgive as Christ forgave me?
Explain Matthew 18 where if someone doesn't listen and they keep sinning against us, we are to take two or three others and also the church at some point. The point of the passage is that if they don't listen, we are to let them be like publicans and tax collectors and Jews had no dealings with publicans or tax collectors. I was tickled at my church that they actually said we could do it because the rest of the Christian church says we can't.
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Another verse they say is to forgive as God has forgiven us. How has God forgiven us? Did we repent? Did we confess our sins to Jesus? Did we tell Jesus we were wrong?
I have a relative who says, I can't love you because you are a Christian.
It is also unsafe to be threatened with lawsuits, to have family members victims of identity theft and to be with people who are going to use and abuse you.
This is the reader's digest version. There is more involved.
1 Corinthians 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
"Put away" actually means "lift up and out".
Blue Letter Bible - Lexicon
You have pastors reducing sin to a misunderstanding or always teaching that we should forgive because we're wrong but the Bible says to put away that wicked person. Following Paul would split some churches and it would sound like forgiveness but how can I forgive someone who isn't wrong? If they don't admit they are wrong then what do I have to forgive them for? When you came to Christ, did you confess your sins? Did Christ forgive you? Then how am I supposed to forgive as Christ forgave me?