Can God Give Me Freedom Through Forgiveness?

“To be a Christian is to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” C.S. Lewis

This musing is another wealth of knowledge that was written by my late mentor, Rev. Pat Carver. I know I’ve said this before, but I am amazed that her words written so long ago still ring true today. There are times I wonder if our culture has forgotten the beauty and soul peace that comes from forgiveness. It truly does lend itself towards spiritual freedom.

Forgiveness is not a feeling. It is a Divine Command. It is a spiritual requirement. It is a fact. It is what the Father did for us (Psalm 103:3). It is what Father requires and desires that we do for others. it is imparting to others the result of the divine attribute that Father decreed to us. Forgiveness is:

• Liberty
• A Clear Mind
• A Rejoicing Spirit
• A Path to Functioning Peace
• Spiritual Strength
• A Divine Characteristic

Forgiveness is a soothing balm to our own soul and body, as well as to those we forgive. It is showing our likeness to our Father. It is following in the footsteps of Jesus (Luke 23:34). It is so refreshing to know that Father has put within us the ability to forgive. To forgive each other AND ourselves.

Is unforgiveness harmful?

Unforgiveness is a trick of the enemy to make us harbor resentment in our hearts, so a root of bitterness will spring up and our entire being will be contaminated (James 3:14-18, Hebrews 12:15). When I see others through the loving eyes of my Father, and understand them the way He does, I am walking in love. The Holy Spirit will help me to see with compassion and hope. How different my view will be when I see them His way! Can I then retain anger? Can I then be unruly in my thoughts concerning them? No-I will see as Jesus sees. Compassion is not a feeling or emotion-It is a Person named Jesus!

What happens when we forgive?

When we forgive, it has nothing to do with our feelings. It is an act of faith, and since my faith works by love (Galatians 5:6), I must move in faith and let that love show forgiveness. The word forgive means: to pardon, to release a person from punishment or disfavor, to excuse a fault.

Jesus gave instructions about forgiveness after the resurrection

Following the resurrection, when Jesus appeared to His disciples and they received the Holy Spirit, He told them, “Whosoever sins you remit, they are remitted unto them, and whosever sins you retain, they are retained (John 20:23). To retain means: to keep in a fixed condition; to hold -to keep in memory. To remit means: to pardon, to forgive. We have the power of the Holy Spirit in us to forgive and not hold ourselves, or others in bondage through unforgiveness.

Let’s walk in freedom of forgiveness. God frees us through forgiving us-let’s free others in the same way! Choose this day to receive His forgiveness. Choose this day to forgive others! I John 1:9. Thank you for reading, if you would like to hear some of my other musings in audio form please check out my Youtube page.