Forgiveness is not just a one-time act, but a way of life meant to bring us into every blessing in the Messiah. “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:44-45).
According to the Messiah Jesus, forgiveness isn’t a matter of picking or choosing whom we would forgive. We can’t say, “You’ve hurt me too much, so I’m not forgiving you.”
Notice what the Messiah Jesus said on the stake: Luke 23:34: Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." He said this in love for the ones who had crucified him and were casting lots at his feet for his robe.
The Messiah Jesus tells us, “For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” (Matthew 5:46).
It doesn’t matter who our grudge might be against. If we hold onto it, it will lead to a bitterness that poisons every aspect of our lives. Unforgiveness brings on spiritual famine, weakness, and a loss of faith, afflicting not just us but everyone in our circle of fellowship.
Ephesians 4:31-32: Get rid of all bitterness and rage and anger and angry shouting and defaming speech, along with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God has forgiven you in the Messiah.
Hebrews 12:15: Watch over others, so that no one is falling away from the grace of God; so that no root of bitterness sprouts up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled....
Over the past fifty years, I have seen terrible devastation in the lives of those who withheld forgiveness. Yet, I also have seen the glorious power of a forgiving spirit.
Forgiveness transforms lives, causing the windows of heaven to open. It fills our cup of spiritual blessing to the brim with abundant peace, joy, and rest in the Lord God Yehovah. Jesus’ teaching on this subject is very specific, and if you want to move in this wonderful realm of blessing, then heed and embrace his words.
“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” (Matthew 6:14-15).
Make no mistake: God isn’t making a bargain with us here. He is not saying, “Because you’ve forgiven others, I will forgive you.” We can never earn God’s forgiveness. Only the shed blood of the Messiah Jesus merits forgiveness of sin.
Rather, the Messiah Jesus is saying: “Full confession of sin requires that you forgive others. If you hold on to an attitude of unforgiveness, then you haven’t confessed all your sins. True active repentance means confessing and forsaking every grudge, crucifying every trace of bitterness toward others, in the process of dying to self. Anything less isn’t a repentance God will accept.”
This goes hand in hand with Jesus' Beatitude: “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7). His point: Forgive others, so you can move into the blessings and joy of sonship with the Messiah Jesus. God can then pour out tokens of his love. And when you forgive, you’re revealing the Father’s nature to the world and bringing glory to His holy name, Yehovah.
Written by David Wilkerson and edited by Bruce Lyon
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