C. S. Lewis wrote, “Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive.”
A study was done, and 75 percent of those surveyed believed God had forgiven them for past sins, but only 52 percent had forgiven others.
There are 75 different words used in the Bible to describe forgiveness. In the New Testament, the primary word translated into the words forgive and forgiveness is one that means “to release, to let go of something, to free yourself from something.”
Another term the Bible uses to describe forgiveness is canceling, as in canceling a debt. In other words, we have to keep a short account. This is especially true in marriage. If you want a marriage that lasts, you had better learn how to forgive. You will hurt and be hurt in marriage, and as Ruth Graham wisely said, a successful marriage is made up of two good forgives.
A study that was done revealed that resentful people took 25 percent more medication than people who practice forgiveness. If you want to save money at the drugstore, then forgive. If you want to be a happier person, then forgive. If you want to be a healthier person, then forgive. Most importantly, if you want to be an obedient Christian, then you must forgive.
It’s been said, “The first to apologize is the bravest. The first to forgive is the strongest. The first to forget is the happiest.” Just put it in your rearview mirror.
There is no greater example of forgiveness than Christ himself when he hung on the cross. After he was crucified, after they ripped his back open with the Roman whip, after they pulled the beard from his face and he hung there at Calvary, he gave seven statements in total. The first one was, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34 NIV).
Did those Roman soldiers deserve forgiveness? Did those religious leaders deserve forgiveness? No, but Jesus gave it anyway. That is how God feels toward us. He loves us and will forgive us if we will turn from our sins. And forgiven people should be forgiving people.
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