Daily Bible Study – Immanuel experience…

LEARN and PRACTICE the WORD of GOD

Forgiveness is divine 

(Continuation from yesterday)

IV. Forgiveness is a process.

Forgiveness is a process. First to obey the command of God, second is to understand the merits of this divine gift. Have desire to forgive. Remember that forgiveness is not reconciliation.

Forgiveness takes time. It does not happen over night. The process will look different for every one of us, but it is a process for each of us, nonetheless.

V. Forgiveness requires close communion with God.

It’s important to remain close to Jesus throughout the process of forgiveness. We need to seek His will and pray for His guidance to show us the “hows”of forgiveness. Remember, the process is unique for each of us, and so we it is essential for us to hold fast to God, seeking His will as we take each step toward forgiveness.
1 John 1:3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
Revelation 3:20 ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

VI. Forgiveness is not reserved for more “acceptable”offenses.

Just as God forgives all sins, we are called to forgive every offense committed against us regardless of how terrible it was. No sin is unforgivable.

VII. Forgiveness Sets ‘truly’ You Free

Forgiveness is not for the person you are forgiving. It is for you, so you are no longer ruled or defined by it. Holding onto the anger for what others have done to you or those you love only puts you in bondage, which is where the offender may want you to stay.

Don’t allow them to have the ability to ruin your life. Holding a grudge does not hurt the other person. It only hurts you. The feeling that you want to get them back will define everything you do from now on.

Vengeance is not yours. It is God’s. We will not see the outcome until we finally go home. Be assured, though, God tells us in Matthew 6:15 if we refuse to forgive others, God will not forgive our sins.

We may feel that we have not done anything as bad as what someone did to us. While that may be true in our human estimation, in God’s economy all sin is the same. A little white lie is the same as a huge betrayal.

1 John 1:9 But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing.

Colossians 3:12-13 You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you.

Prayer: Abba Father, Thansks for sending Your only beloved Son to redeem us and forgive our sins. Jesus Christ, You are my Redeemer and Saviour, forgive my sins, just as You forgave Peter’s denial and those who crucified You. Count not my transgressions, but, rather, my tears of repentance. Remember not my iniquities, but, more especially, my sorrow for the offenses I have committed against You. I long to be true to Your Word, and pray that You will love me and come to make Your dwelling place within me. I promise to give You praise and glory in love and in service all the days of my life. I pray by the name of Jesus. Amen