The Power of Forgiveness

The Power of Forgiveness
We can not forgive without the Spirit of God in our natural human state. It is not our human inclination to forgive when someone harms us or our loved ones. Our natural human response is to seek revenge, hold a grudge and keep an offense. It is impossible to love anyone who is out to destroy us or who has persecuted us or who has repeatedly abused us- even as a child. The only possible way for us to truly forgive our enemy, those who have hurt us, is to trust the love of God to help us navigate the resentful feelings and the pain we endured from the perpetrator. In other words we cannot do anything without God’s divine help. Romans 12:19 tells us: “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord. Trust God with your pain.
Forgiveness is an attribute of Divine Love and it is not easily achieved unless we make a conscious and intentional choice to forgive. When we do God will go to work in helping us to attain that goal. Unforgiveness cheats us of having a great life here on this planet. It is like a little dog nipping at our heels. Do you know God is not selective in whom He loves. He loves everyone, even the vilest person on this earth. One pastor stated, “that God may not agree with our choices but He loves us all,” yes even our worst enemies. Why? Because God is Love and His nature is to love and there is no hate or grudges or offenses in Him. However, Satan is the one who makes these subtle suggestions to us, that we should hate the ones who hurt us and God should punish them. We have to remember we live in a fallen world and the god of this world is the devil and his motive is to cause chaos, anarchy and division. When someone hurts us it is the devil who has influenced that person to do so. Jesus came to give us life more abundantly while Satan came to steal, kill and destroy, John 10:10. First Peter 5:8 warns us not to walk out of love for any reason. If we do, we are playing right into the devil’s hand. We are to be: “alert, watchful, because our enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” Let it not be you or me. I submit to you, let us endeavor to love despite the feelings. We are not alone. God sees us, He knows our pain and He sorrows with us and He will help to heal the wounds of our past, even our present, and if we ask Him He will make a way of escape. Matthew 5:44 asks us, “to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.”
Some have asked why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? God has given us a free will and He will not violate our will here on earth unless we invite Him to work on our behalf. He has also given us, as His children, the authority and dominion over the evil forces around us. Satan has no control or power over God’s children unless we relinquish it over to him. We are not helpless, neither are we victims. We are conquerors in Christ Jesus. The devil is defeated and we can command him out of our lives. So today let us wield the Ephesians 6:14-20 prayer and put on our armor of God. God bless you my friend and God sees you and He loves you. Trust Him with your heart. Let love rise up and push the darkness away. Always choose to walk in love and you will be safe.

Author: Live Free By Grace:terese712310
New King James Bible and AMPC version
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