Forgiveness-Introduction| PreacherRichD |

Forgiveness, An Important Topic

The topic of forgiveness is a very critical topic. Sadly, however, it is not a topic discussed much in our culture. In fact, it seems as if it is avoided, ignored. Instead, everything in our culture seems to be consumed with the mindset that we should be offended, seek our own justice, take vengeance. We have a right to be bitter, hateful, so it is okay to call people names, to mock, to condemn, to tear up those we disagree with on any issue.

Let this sink in. Someone may not even do anything to you personally, but it is okay to hate them. So there is no need to forgive them because they did nothing wrong to you. So how much harder is it to forgive someone who has wronged you, if you are a person that builds grudges against someone even if they did not harm you? But we are getting sidetracked. We need to discuss forgiving those who have harmed you. Or forgiving yourself, or forgiving God. (Does God really need to be forgiven?)

Forgiveness is a critical topic because we as people were not created to live a life of unforgiveness. There are consequences in the life of a person who does not forgive.

Consequences of Unforgiveness

There are consequences if you live a life of unforgiveness:

Our Mind
A person consumed with unforgiveness is consumed with a variety of unhealthy emotions. Bitterness, resentment, hatred, anger, a heart of vengeance. A person consumed with unforgiveness is in bondage, they carry emotional baggage that can increase over time. Usually what happens they end up having unforgiveness towards more than the person that harmed them. They look at life experiences in the realm of past wounds and scars. Honestly, it is a miserable life to life with unforgiveness.

Our Body
We were not created to carry the load of unforgiveness and all the mental, emotional baggage that comes with it. Thus, unforgiveness can affect our physical body. We can end up having sickness and disease from living a life of unforgiveness. We can certainly end up having mental illness if we hold unto unforgiveness.

Our Relationship with Others
When we live a life of unforgiveness we will invariably have trouble having healthy relationships with other people. Especially with people that remind us of those who have harmed us in the past, even if they are nothing like the people of our past.

Our Relationship with Ourself
For some individuals they cannot forgive themselves for how they have lived, for the things they have done. They become extremely depressed and even suicidal because they cannot forgive themselves or forgive others.

Our Relationship with God
The most critical consequence of living a life of unforgiveness is it affects our relationship with God. It brings separation. A person who is consumed with unforgiveness will have a hard time having any relationship with God. Many times, it is because they are blaming God for what has happened to them, they have bitterness towards God. Rather they have bitterness towards God or not, the Bible makes it clear that if we do not forgive others, God will not forgive us. Let that sink in. It is a terrible place to be in life where we are in a place of unforgiveness from God instead of receiving His forgiveness, mercy, grace, love. That should be enough of a reason to ask God for help to be able to forgive.

Matthew 6:14-15 (NRSV)
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.”

Future Podcasts

In future podcasts we will be covering many subjects regarding forgiveness. Our heart’s desire is that every person that listens to our upcoming podcasts will be able to get to a place to be able to forgive every person, every circumstance (that God was in the midst), and forgive themselves so that they can be at a place to experience peace, freedom, and have a new perspective regarding life, becoming people known to walk in forgiveness and intimacy with God. Yes, as you learn to walk in forgiveness there will become a new level of intimacy with God. He will give you endurance to face life challenges in a healthy manner, living a life of victory over circumstances.

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