How do we forgive someone who
hurt us? By hearing and following God's advice to love our enemies, to do good
to those who hate us, to bless those who curse us and to pray for those who
abuse us. When someone takes something from us, we give him/her more of what
they want. We treat others the way we want them to treat us (Luke 6:27-31).
Forgiveness does not take the
offender off the hook, but it does set us free (Romans 12:19). Our fellowship with God is broken by unforgiveness and
His blessings cannot freely flow into our life. With God’s help, we can gain
freedom from Satan’s strongholds in our life as we readily forgive those who
hurt us and walk in God's Truth.
We also learn to exhibit
patience with other people who mistreat us, because we realize that their
behavior comes from their wounded soul. Once we forgive those who hurt or
offend us, the fruit from the root of bitterness ~ anger, anxiety, depression,
irritability, meanness, pride, indulgence and doubt ~ are pulled out of our
soul.
The Holy Spirit can then move
into our spirit and plant the seed of His fruit in the place of our old carnal
nature. As God's chosen people, His holy ones, we cooperate with God's Spirit
and put on the cloak of love, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness and
patience. We bear with one another and forgive each other, just as the Lord
forgives us (Colossians 3:12-15).
Prayer:
Father God, remind us to put on
Your love, because it binds everything together in perfect harmony. This allows
the peace of Christ to rule in our heart, and we live in gratitude for all You
do for us each day. Help the word of Christ to richly dwell in us. Whatever we
do, in word or deed, we will perform it in Your name (Colossians 3:16-17). Once we
find Your forgiveness for our self, we can give it to those who hurt us, and
receive healing from the lies Satan planted in our wounded soul.
Thought for the Day:
Satan wants us to live in
bondage to the law of sin and death, but Christ already freed us by the law of
the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus. - Romans 7:22-8:3
