HOW MUCH AND HOW MANY TIMES?

All the principles that God gives us in His Word are liberating principles. They set us free from bondage, depression, self-pity, bitterness, and destruction. And yet, God's ways are usually opposite of how we would naturally react. One of these kingdom principles is forgiveness. When someone hurts us wrongly or speaks false words against us, it is not easy to forgive. But, unless we do, we only end up hurting ourselves. God shows us in His Word how to do it.

1. We must be eager and ready to forgive.
God Himself is always "READY to forgive" (Psalm 86:5) and He wants us to have the same attitude. We don't hold out for months or years in bitterness, but forgive immediately.

2. We must forgive all, not only some things.
God never holds back His forgiveness. He forgives ALL our sins. There is nothing He won't forgive when we seek the cleansing of the blood of Jesus. Read Psalm 103:3 and Colossians 2:13.

3. We must forgive seventy time seven.
Yes, Matthew 18:21-22 tells us 490 times, but the inference is UNENDING forgiveness. How can you forgive over and over again, even for the same thing? Only by God's grace and forgiveness which we inherit when Christ comes to dwell in us (Romans 5:5 and Colossians 1:27).

4. We must forgive from the heart.
Matthew 18:35 NASB says, "My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother FROM YOUR HEART."

5. We must forgive others the same way Christ has forgiven us. This kind of attitude doesn't let us off the hook, does it? Ephesians 4:32 reads, "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, EVEN AS GOD for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Read also Luke 23:34 and Colossians 3:13.

There will always be someone we have to forgive. It may be every day, or more than once a day. Allow Christ to work His spirit of forgiveness in you, today.

Love from Nancy Campbell