Forgiveness in the Face of Adversity

Part 3

Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice, enabling us to establish a connection with Him and attain eternal life through the forgiveness of our sins. According to John 3:16:

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

The New Testament revolves around the crucifixion of Jesus for the salvation of all mankind. The passage in Romans 10:9-10 states that...

"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

We see Jesus has forgiven man if they believe in Him. Believe in the Strong's dictionary is,

To trust Jesus, to commit to Jesus and to have faith in Jesus.

The New Testament clearly says that Jesus has the power to forgive sins. Before anything else, we must take a leap of faith, seek guidance from Him, and live according to His teachings rather than relying on our own desires. According to Romans 8:1,

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."

When we are guided by the Spirit, it becomes easier to embody the qualities of God, as our spirit aligns with His. If we are not walking in the Spirit of God, then we will continue to fight and struggle in our lives. It goes against what God intends.

We know that God's forgiveness for sins is made possible through His son, Jesus Christ. Does forgiveness have a final endpoint? Should we forgive those who have wronged us? How should we react to individuals who cause us harm? In what way should we manage infidelity in a marriage? How about physical, sexual, or spiritual abuse? How should you manage someone who spread rumours about you? Or if someone stole something belonging to you? How would you react if a loved one is murdered? These questions are challenging, and it's difficult to understand and forgive if you're not guided by the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 6:12-15 reads:

"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen".

"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

Three verses emphasise the importance of forgiving those who have wronged us. We need to have the same attitude as our father has. He forgave us. It emphasises that if we do not extend forgiveness, our Father in heaven will deny us forgiveness, resulting in eternal damnation.

Luke 6:37, 38 it reads,

"Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

The bible warns that if you choose not to forgive someone and instead pass judgment on them, God will employ that very judgment against you. Remarkably, how, even though scripture explicitly affirms God's use of the same judgment, many individuals opt not to extend forgiveness. I have endured the agony of being judged by others, and the root cause of this is their fixation on the injustice of the hurt. In addition, it is common for them to allow their personal emotions or past traumas to impact their decision-making, and their focus leads to seeking validation from others rather than seeking guidance from God's wisdom. The reasons behind it include the unknown, commonly known as the what if syndrome, and the overwhelming pain associated with forgiveness. Sadly, many individuals forget that the very actions they are involved in are also categorised as sin. The concept applies to Christians in both directions. In order to promote healing and reconciliation, it is essential to forgive those who have sinned against you, and for those who have committed wrongdoing, it is important to seek forgiveness from God.

How many times should we forgive a person if they keep hurting us?

Luke 17 states,

"Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."

If there is an individual who has not shown repentance, it is important for you to address the situation by rebuking him. His instruction to them is to rebuke individuals who engage in sinful behaviour. Rebuking involves the act of directly confronting or admonishing someone to address their wrongdoing. The implication here is that we should not turn a blind eye to sin but confront it head-on with honesty and directness. As we confront people about sin, it is important to remember that.

A call for compassion and mercy is crucial.

The teachings of Jesus serve as a reminder to His followers about the significance of compassion and mercy in their lives. In the same way that God shows mercy and forgiveness to us, we are also called to show that same grace and extend it to others.

Discovering the transformative power of repentance.

Central to this teaching is the act of repentance, which holds great significance. This process has the remarkable ability to both restore relationships and foster personal growth, making it a truly transformative experience. When we decide to forgive those who sincerely repent, we play an active role in facilitating their process of healing and redemption.

The importance of humility and self-reflection.

We are required to extend our hands toward humility and self-reflection. Recognising our own need for forgiveness from God and others helps us to extend forgiveness more readily.

Community and Accountability:

Through the process of rebuking and forgiving, the community of believers not only maintains accountability and integrity, but also deepens the connections among its members. This cycle of repentance and forgiveness not only deals with sins but also facilitates the restoration of relationships.

Galatians 6:1-5 states,

"Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load."

The word spiritual means one who is in harmony with and the character of God who continues to be renewed, a religious-spiritual person who is filled with and governed by the Spirit of God and carries the wisdom of God. (Strongs, Greek 4152).

The spirit can guide those who are familiar with the essence of God.

In Luke 15:11-32, there is a well-known parable called the Parable of the lost Son that recounts the story of a father and his two sons. In an act of defiance, the younger son insists on receiving his portion of the inheritance, and without hesitation, he sets off on a path of indulgence and wastefulness, leaving his home behind. When faced with the devastating effects of a famine and finding himself in a state of destitution, he resolves to go back to his hometown, with the aspiration of securing a job as a servant under his father's household. Upon his long-awaited return, the father, overwhelmed with a deep sense of grace and love, eagerly rushes towards his prodigal son, enveloping him in a heartfelt embrace. The father's love for his son is clear as he not only embraces him but also reinstates him as his beloved son, marking this beautiful reunion with a grand and festive feast.

In the meantime, as the younger son revels in the celebration, the older son, who had stayed and worked diligently, becomes filled with anger and purposefully rejects the opportunity to join in. The younger son's warm reception has made him feel unappreciated, causing him to harbour resentment. With gentle patience, the father explains to the crowd the importance of celebrating this occasion. Jesus puts a spotlight on the transformative journey of the younger son, who was previously lost but has now been found, effectively underscoring the immeasurable grace and forgiveness that God extends to all individuals who sincerely repent and turn back to Him. In this parable, the themes of repentance, forgiveness, and the joyous welcome from God are highlighted, serving as a reminder of His grace for those who turn back to Him. Jesus has the expectation that we should also act in the same manner.

For over three decades, I have faithfully attended church. At the tender age of 5, I made the life-changing decision to give my heart to Jesus, and in that same year, I experienced the transformative power of being filled with the spirit and undergoing a water baptism. Growing up, my parents held esteemed positions as elders in our community and were highly respected, which resulted in people having exceedingly high expectations for me. I want to clarify that being saved is not something that happened in that situation.

To provide a concise overview, my life included a tumultuous 13-year period of abuse, persistent bullying from grade 4 until year 10, a period of bisexuality spanning from ages 14 to 19, a daily consumption of three packets of cigarettes alongside marijuana usage, and a significant dependence on bourbon. The abuse I endured had long-lasting effects, both spiritually and physically, leaving me with scars. I became angry with myself, and this anger had far-reaching consequences in various aspects of my life, including my leadership role, my spiritual well-being, my financial stability, my relationships with my family, and even my experiences at church. The anger I experienced caused me to develop a deep sense of insecurity, which unfortunately affected several aspects of my life, such as my performance at work, my relationships with family members, and even my involvement in the church community. The situation caused a considerable amount of emotional pain and distress for me. It was challenging to handle the issues that arose because I was determined to maintain a powerful image that people placed on me and not show any vulnerability.

It was around nine years ago when I found myself faced with various choices that ultimately ended up altering the course of my life that have had serious repercussions. I cannot provide any additional details about these errors, as there are legal limitations that prevent me from doing so. All my possessions and belongings were gone, leaving me with nothing. As I grappled with the depths of my despair, I tried to end my life. Despite everything, in a truly extraordinary sequence of occurrences, I promptly turned to God, acknowledging that I could no longer confront my difficulties single-handedly. Once I found myself in a state of homelessness, my only shelter was the interior of my car where I slept each night. With tears streaming down my face, I called out to God once more, yearning for His presence, and in that precise moment, a profound peace settled deep within my heart. I knew it was going to be a long journey. My unwavering belief in God, I knew His presence, assured me and He will be there to strengthen me in every situation.

It has been several years since God started healing my heart. I have experienced healing because I reached a point where I acknowledged to God that I had reached my limit and could no longer handle things independently. Through my journey, I came to realise the importance of releasing control, delving deeper than superficiality, and embracing the healing power of His grace. Through God's intervention in my life, I could confront the underlying issues and subsequently extend forgiveness to those who had wronged me. Countless tears were shed, tears that I never believed I possessed. I know God carries those tears and provides solace.

Years ago, I attempted to address these issues. Only the superficial blemishes were addressed and treated. Instead of addressing the root of the problem, it was overlooked. At the end of 2015, I had the incredible fortune of meeting a godly man. I will name him Brian, that truly upholds and adheres to the word of God without compromise. I still vividly remember the memories of those first few weeks having a coffee with Brian, sharing my life with him, and see God's presence shone through him, as we talked about God and His immeasurable Grace. These early conversations sparked a profound transformation within me that remains etched in my mind. In that vulnerable state, I was willing to embrace the changes that came my way. The presence of God continues to feel like a blanket, a weight that sits on me and it forces me to seek God.

It was during these initial conversations that I got to know Brian, who later became one of my closest friends, and we would frequently meet up at coffee shops. Brian taught me, through spending time with God at home, that God would heal my heart. Through that vulnerable time of healing, I learned to forgive, and my life was changing. Brian knew how to walk in the Spirit. He looked at people with a heart of love and compassion.

It's disheartening to admit that I am still prone to making errors. As I reach the cross, a pivotal point in my journey, I consciously engage in the process of working out my salvation, all the while steadfastly progressing towards the state of divine perfection that God desires for me. I know who I am in Christ. This holds a level of importance that is unparalleled; there is nothing else like it. If you will release any past hurts, pre-conceived ideas, or anything else that might be hindering your progress in life, you find that you, too, can maintain inner peace and forgiveness, even in the face of the most challenging storms.

When seeking forgiveness, it is important to ask for God's help, just as God forgives us. Take a moment to introspect and examine if there is any lingering unforgiveness in your heart towards someone who has caused you pain. If you discover any challenges along the way, remember that you can always rely on God for help and direction as you navigate through the process of forgiveness. The act of reading the Bible and praying in the Spirit is of utmost importance, as it enables one to tap into God's strength. If you are simply sitting back and waiting for God to act, then that approach will not be effective. To start change, it is crucial for you to take the first step and seek help from God.

At this point in my life, I have found such peace with God that my spiritual life has grown stronger than ever before. Thanks to my consistent efforts, I have reached a point where I can read the bible effortlessly, and my passion for studying the word of God has only grown stronger. God, in His divine wisdom, brought me to the lowest point in my life, enabling me to gain a profound understanding of His character, including His love, forgiveness, mercy, compassion, and grace, which ultimately shaped my spiritual journey.