Why We Should Forgive!
Why We Should Forgive!
Welcome to the 2nd Season of Healing Waters – The Podcast!
I am LaDonna Sanders, your Host!
Before we go into this week's devotional, I want to tell you about my recently released book, Healing Waters! The book is for anyone in a faith fight, especially those challenged physically. This 60-day devotional will refresh your faith in God and remind you that God wants you well in your mind, body, soul, and Spirit!
Go to Amazon and type my name, Ladonna Sanders - Healing Waters, to get your copy today! Now let's see what good news our creator has to say today on Healing Waters - The Podcast!
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Forgiveness – Part 2
Why We Should Forgive
In John 16:1-4, Jesus knows he will be arrested and crucified soon! He warns his disciples that they may suffer, be put out of churches, and even face death because of their relationship with Him. He tells them they will be harmed by people who do not know or believe in Him and the Father. However, Jesus advises them not to be shocked or caught off guard by such behavior. Jesus explains that He is sharing this information with them in advance so that they will not stumble or get offended when it happens.
John 16:1-4 –"These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor me. But these things I have told you, that when the times comes, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I did not say to you at the beginning because I was with you."
As you endeavor to follow Jesus, it might surprise you that persecution is a part of your journey as a Christian. Had you known this fact earlier, would your decision to follow the Lord have been different? Let's hope not! I have not suffered anything close to death because of my faith, but I know how it feels to be asked to leave a church. In middle school, my mother was assaulted by a non-believer and non-member during a Friday night church service. However, the event was so traumatic that the church leadership asked us not to return. It took me years to get over and pass what I saw and heard from the assailant and a few church members that night. But with the help of the Holy Spirit and my mother, who was determined to help me walk in freedom. I eventually learned how to forgive.
Here is what I learned about why we should forgive others.
1. Anger leads to sin and leaves you open to manipulation by your adversary, Satan.
2. Forgiving others extinguishes Satan's power over you.
3. Forgiving allows us to receive forgiveness from God.
4. Forgiveness keeps you from passing the poison of hatred on to others.
5. God can release his redeeming power in the offender's life because you decide to forgive and pray for them instead of seeking revenge.
Let's take a look at the following supporting scriptures:
Matthew 6:14-15 – For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, our Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 18:21-35- Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus told him, "I do not say to you up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his Master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant, therefore, fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all. Then, the Master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!' So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' And he would not but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved and came and told their Master all that had been done. Then his Master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you? And his Master was angry and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
Mark 11:25 – And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.
Luke 6:37 – Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
2 Corinthians 2:10-11- Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, lest Satan should take advantage of us, for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Ephesians 4:26-32 Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hears. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Hebrews 12:14-15 – Pursue peace with all people, and holiness without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this, many become defiled.
Let's pray
Lord, I want to be free in every area of my life. I understand that holding unforgiveness opens the door to satan into my life and hinders my ability to receive your best. So, Lord, I repent! Forgive me for holding unforgiveness, anger, and bitterness in my heart, and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I forgive, Lord, I forgive everyone who has ever wronged me, and I asked that you would heal the wounds of my heart and remove the residue of the situations from my life. Lord, you know about everyone involved. Save us, O God, help us see the areas in our lives that need to be surrendered to you and forgive, deliver, and save us, O God, in Jesus' name. Amen! .
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Thank you for listening, and remember that God loves you, and he wants you well in your mind, body, soul, and Spirit. God Bless!