Pastor Bell's Words To Live By

The ability to forgive is one that is part and parcel of the Christian way of life.  However, many Christians fail to implement this very necessary principle so that they can in turn receive forgiveness. Why should I forgive and what are the precedents that suggest that I should forgive?  Firstly, forgiveness is at the heartbeat of God. When humanity disobeyed God and followed the serpent, he could have abandoned his creation and left them to their own devices. However, He implemented a plan for their total restoration. This plan involved the sacrifice of his only son and forgiving humanity for turning their back on God and enabling everyone who put their trust in Jesus to receive total forgiveness. Secondly, by developing a heart of forgiveness, each believer removes from their spirit the propensity to plant a root of bitterness in their heart. The writer of Hebrews exhorts us thus: “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and through it many become defiled.” (Hebrews 12:15 NRSV). If we fail to forgive and harbour unforgiveness in our hearts, we are laying up trouble for ourselves in the future. This trouble comes in the form of bitterness in our spirit. This bitterness manifests itself as physical disease. There are many Christians whose lives ‘are cut’ short by ailments such as liver disease because they have harboured bitterness in their heart.

Jesus is our model for forgiveness. When Judas betrayed him, instead of giving him the cold shoulder and ostracising him, he embraced him and invited him to partake of the last supper with him. When Peter denied him, his first action after his resurrection was to restore Peter rather than berate him and leaving him out in the cold.  Furthermore, when Jesus was on the cross in agony, instead of berating those who had crucified him, he asked father God to forgive them since they had no idea that they were fulfilling the plan originated by God to bring restoration to humanity. If you are unable to forgive, it is likely that you will not receive forgiveness. Read Matthew 6:9-15.