27 January_IGNITE YOUR DAY: The Foundation of Forgiveness

IGNITE YOUR DAY: The Foundation of Forgiveness 

Key Text: Matt 6:14-15

14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

The foundation of forgiveness is rooted in God's character, demonstrated through His ultimate act of love: sending His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins on the cross.

Today, we'll explore how God's forgiveness empowers us to forgive others, no matter how difficult it may seem. We'll examine the Biblical definition of forgiveness and then apply it to our own lives.

To understand forgiveness, let's look at two key words: one from Hebrew (Old Testament) and one from Greek (New Testament).

Hebrew: "Salach "

This word means "to pardon," "to spare," or "to forgive." It's often used in the context of divine forgiveness, as seen in Psalm 86:5: "For You, Lord, are good and ready to forgive, abundant in mercy to all who call upon You."
Greek: "Aphesis"

This word means "to release," "to send away," or "to let go." In the New Testament, "aphesis" signifies a complete dismissal of the offense. The offender is not merely excused but completely released from the consequences of their actions.
Matthew 6:12, part of the Lord's Prayer, illustrates this: "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."

These two words highlight the key components of forgiveness:

Release of Debt: Releasing the offender from the debt of their offense, letting go of the hurt and resentment they caused.
Act of Grace: Forgiving is an act of grace, extending undeserved mercy to the offender, just as God has graciously forgiven us.
Path to Reconciliation: True forgiveness paves the way for reconciliation, restoring broken relationships.
Firstly, forgiveness is rooted in the nature of God.

Psalm 103:8-12 describes God's character as merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. Forgiveness is inherent in His nature.
The parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32 beautifully illustrates God's heart of forgiveness. The father's unconditional love for his wayward son exemplifies God's willingness to forgive and restore.
God's forgiveness should inspire us to forgive others, even when it seems impossible.

Secondly, forgiveness is central to our salvation.

Ephesians 1:7 states: "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." Salvation is inextricably linked to the forgiveness of our sins.

Jesus, while being crucified, prayed for His persecutors: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34) This act of forgiveness on the cross demonstrates the profound importance of forgiveness in the Christian faith.

Thirdly, forgiveness is a command, not a choice.
Mark 11:25 states: "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive your trespasses."   

Forgiveness is non-negotiable for believers. Holding onto unforgiveness hinders our prayers, disrupts our relationship with God, and can even prevent us from entering the Kingdom of Heaven.

Unforgiveness is a form of spiritual poison that can slowly destroy our lives.

Fourthly, forgiveness breaks the chains of bitterness.

Ephesians 4:31-32 exhorts us to put away bitterness, wrath, anger, and evil speaking. These negative emotions are often rooted in unforgiveness.

Bitterness can manifest in various ways, such as gossip, resentment, and a constant negative attitude towards the person we cannot forgive.

Joseph's response to his brothers in Genesis 50:19-21 serves as a powerful example. He forgave them, recognizing that God had used their actions for good.

By choosing to forgive, we release ourselves from the chains of bitterness and experience the healing power of God's grace.

This month, as we explore the journey to healing and wholeness, let us prioritize forgiveness. Let us release the burdens of bitterness and experience the freedom that comes from extending grace to others, just as God has graciously forgiven us.

May God bless you as we embark on this journey of healing and reconciliation.