Forgiving is Not an Option, It's a Duty


Forgiveness is the act of pardoning an offender in spite of the offender's shortcomings and errors. It's the last thing Jesus did on the cross! When we release forgiveness, it frees us from the most powerful bondage that Hell can put on us.

"...bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity." Colossians 3:13-14

Jesus didn't say we are to forgive if we feel like it. He said it is a duty and no limit can be set on the extent of forgiveness. It must be granted without reserve by faith and not feelings.

"'Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' forgive him.' The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!'" Luke 17:3-5

One of the most effective tools the enemy uses to steal our joy is unforgiveness. With just a little foothold of unforgiveness in our lives, we can easily become bound with chains of bitterness, resentment, anger and rage. If we let that foothold linger without dealing with it, eventually it will lead to our own self-destruction. If we don't cut people loose by forgiving them, then we become entangled. Forgiving sets you free.

The apostle Paul reminds us in Galatians 5:15 that words and emotions can get out of hand - even among Christians. When this happens, feelings get hurt, friendships are destroyed, the church becomes divided, and the body of Christ suffers. It is crucial that we ask the Lord daily to help us to "be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another." Ephesians 4:32