Does forgiveness do more for the forgiven or the forgiver? From my point of view, definitely the one who forgives benefits much more than the one who was forgiven. Even if the forgiven person didn’t apologize to us, it is much better to forgive than to hold on to the anger. Holding on to anger is like grasping hot coal with the intent of throwing it on someone else; you are the one who gets burned."
Forgiving doesn’t means you will forget the offense, it only means you do not carry the anger with you. The scriptures tells us, “Be angry, but do not sin” Ephesians 4:26.
When we dwell in anger it breeds sin....
· Bitterness
· Hate
· Slander
· Malice
· Brawling
Forgiveness is for our own growth and happiness. Forgiveness frees us to live in the presence of God. Not forgiving is more harmful to the person who can’t forgive than to the person whom you are angry with. "It is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die."
Ephesians 4:31-32 says, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
These are awesome instructions on looking more like the image of Jesus through learning to forgive and making the choice to receive forgiveness from God. It is our obedience to God when we choose not to dwell on or look on the offense anymore. We are to ask for forgiveness of our sins and those who sin against us just as Jesus paid for our forgiveness and prayed forgiveness for His oppressors, Luke 23:24.
Having an attitude of compassionate forgiveness is more than just an external standard we are meant to live up to. It is the fruit of a heart that has been melted by receiving the forgiveness of Christ.
Be Blessed!
Pastor Charles Gamble
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