Forgiveness is a problem that too many people have still not learnt how to deal with. Guilt can be a chain but bitterness can likewise be chain. Both are a terrible prison. They have caused much grief in this world. Forgiveness means “to free from a debt”. There are no free pardons. There is always a cost. See Ephesians 1:7. Here are some reasons to forgive:-

1 – God was so willing to forgive us (See Ephesians 4:32)

• If you do not forgive you shut up the forgiveness of God (vs. 24).
• If we do not forgive we will do ourselves great emotional damage.

Bitterness is an acid that destroys its container. Bitterness brings you down to the level of those who have sinned against you. When you forgive you set a prisoner free.

2 – Forgiveness repairs a broken fellowship (Matt 5:24)

Bitterness is an acid that destroys its container. Bitterness brings you down to the level of those who have sinned against you. When you forgive you set a prisoner free. This person needs you. When you forgive remember to:-

• Forgive freely. Not after you have collected your revenge. It should be sorted out quickly. We should be anxious to forgive. You should take the initiative to go to that person.
• Forgive completely. Don’t accept “don’t worry about it”. There needs to be forgiveness in the heart.
• Forgive forever. It should not be brought up again. You are to forgive your brother many times so long as they repent. When you forgive you are set free from the prison of bitterness or guilt. We are foolish if we drag these chains around.

Categories: Matthew