Thoughts on Unforgiveness part 6 of 8

For us to begin any return back to God we first need to know and realize that God is very serious on the matter of sin and on this sin issue of unforgiveness. Matthew 18:21-35 contains a parable on forgiveness. If we are to achieve the forgiveness of God and get out from under the bondage of the sin of unforgiveness we need to be just as serious about this matter as God is. These verses show us the seriousness of God regarding unforgiveness, “And his lord was outraged, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. In the same manner shall my heavenly Father do also to you, if you from your hearts do not forgive your brother sisters unintentional or willful offenses.” (Matthew 18:34-35)

The good news that I have for you today is that no child of God has to live with unforgiveness. When God sent his son Jesus to the earth to pay for our sins for He paid for them all, he did not leave on sin unpaid for. In doing so, He has completely provided us with forgiveness and the tools that we need to get out form the bondage that we entrap ourselves in. The help that we need in removing the sin of unforgiveness not just a spiritual need, it is in fact a spiritual cleansing, one that removes it from our lives completely. Psalm 103:1-5, “BLESS the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! (2) Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: (3) Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, (4) Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, (5) Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

I mentioned the bondage of Satan and now I would like to mention one of the chains he uses when holds us within our unforgiveness. He gets us to believe that our sin is not that bad, after all it is not murder (at least not physically). We speak of unforgiveness but two of the links in this chain are anger and bitterness. As I have mentioned before. You might hear someone say, “So I hold a grudge against someone, it isn’t really that bad is it?” We turn to the word of God to find the answer to that question and we are confronted by James 2:10-11 says, “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. (11) For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.” If we break one law we are as guilty as if we have broken them all. We must remember that God is just and will always stand true.

Unforgiveness is one of the tools that Satan uses against us to place us into bondage. Those that are still unaware of Satan’s tools are held captive by him clouded by strife, bitterness, anger, and resentment all resulting from unforgiveness. Most people both Christian and non-Christians would say that these are not major sins (But they are sins none the less). Just because unforgiveness is not what we would classify as a “major sin” it is sin none the less. It is actually not far from being a “major sin” because of all of the damages that it causes. Remember the apostle Paul said II Corinthians 2:10-11, “To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; (11) Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

Starting from here we need to look at life a fork in the road. Either you keep following Satan and he drags you with him downward swirling in the vortex of sin which is the easy way out or you can choose the other fork in the road and choose to follow God’s way. This road, though it may not be as easy and at times may be extremely pressing will produce great blessings. God is ready to extend His loving arms in your direction. His love will help you to get past that which is holding you down. It is time to lay down that guilt and unforgiveness and take up the hand of God that which you need to get out of the vortex. It is time to stop spinning out of control and let the one who controls all things help you.

Many of us attempt to forgive to try to clear our conscious or to try to remove guilt. This will always fail and often leads to other problems. This is because it is fleshly and is done so without involving God or following God’s ways.

John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This is the all too familiar “Escape Clause” for many believers. It is a help but it is not the cure. The problem is that we need to break free from the bondage of sin. We ask for forgiveness with unforgiveness in our hearts. We use this verse as a Band-Aid verse. We feel good because we prayed the verse, we feel good because we claim it as a promise of God, but the truth of the matter is, we shroud our unforgiveness spiritually but still hold it in our hearts.

We leave the approach to the throne just as dirty as when we came. Nothing changed with God but we feel good because we did the dance and walked the walk. In our minds we are clear but in the eyes of God we are just as vile as when we sought His face. I John 1:6 says, “If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” (ESV). This verse is a stern warning to us prior to verse 9. So many Christians walk around with the sin of unforgiveness in their hearts yet they claim that they have no sin. We must remember the warning the God gave us in Proverbs 28:13 which says, “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” This verse tells us that if we cover our sins and I am sad to say that many Christians try to cover their sin with Scripture such as I John 1:9, we will not prosper.

The good news is that no believer has to live with unforgiveness. Jesus has provided us the way for us to rid our lives of sin. It is now time to start trusting Jesus to get you out of this bondage and stop holding on to your hurt and anger. These are the anchors that help pull us down. Let them go into his hands and allow Jesus to deliver you.

To be continued: