THE PRISON OF UNFORGIVENESS
"And his master’s heart was moved with compassion and he released him and forgave him [canceling] the debt. But that same slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began choking him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe!’ Then his master called him and said to him, ‘You wicked and contemptible slave, I forgave all that [great] debt of yours because you begged me. ‘Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave [who owed you little by comparison], as I had mercy on you?’ And in wrath his master turned him over to the torturers (jailers) until he paid all that he owed. My heavenly Father will also do the same to [every one of] you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” - Matthew 18:27-28, 32-35 (Amplified).
In the autobiography of the former President of South Africa - Nelson Mandela titled "Long Walk To Freedom", there are some very striking statements about forgiveness that I wish everyone will never forget. When Mr Mandela was asked whether he hated the people who imprisoned him for 27 years, he responded by saying, "Absolutely I did, because they’d imprisoned me for so long. I was abused. I didn’t get to see my children grow up. I lost my marriage and the best years of my life. I was angry. But as I got closer to the car that would take me away, I realized that when I went through that gate, if I still hated them, they would still have me. I wanted to be free. And so I let it go.”
The phrase "to let go" literally means "to forgive". Jesus Christ emphasized the importance of forgiveness when he narrated the parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18:21-35. Forgiveness is not an option, but rather a must if we want to enjoy true freedom. Our Saviour demonstrated how to forgive when he choose to let go of the offenses committed against Him on the cross of Calvary ( Luke 23:34). Like Nelson Mandela, Jesus shows that forgiveness is the key that unlocks the prison gates of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. Therefore, anyone who refuses to forgive or let go has deliberately endorsed his/her warrant of arrest and detention in the prison of bitterness and dungeon of hatred. But unfortunately, many people who appear to be free today are actually living in the prison of unforgiveness. They have been tied down with the invisible chains of bitterness and the fetters of hatred. They may appear free but their souls have been bound and caged for everlasting torments in Hell.
Beloved, one of the most subtle but potent baits that satan is using to populate the prison of hell in every generation is unforgiveness. But many careless individuals are falling sheepishly into this wicked trap everyday. I hope you are not one of them! If you are, I urge you to please let go of those offenses like Jesus Christ our prefect example. Please emulate Nelson Mandela by walking out of the prison of bitterness and resentment today before it's too late.
Today, my heart cry to God is that many people will escape from that terrible prison of unforgiveness before this week is over. The love of God will permeate our heart and help us to let go of all resentments. And God will give us a heart that truly forgives. One song that clearly expresses my heart cry is titled " A Heart That Forgives". This song was composed in October 2010 by a gifted songwriter - Kevin LeVar Gray. May I urge you to please join me to make the lyrics of this wonderful song our prayer focus as we trust God to give us a heart full of love and compassion so that the terrible prison of unforgiveness will be depopulated indeed.
A HEART THAT FORGIVES
I want a heart that forgives
A heart full of love
One with compassion just like yours above
One that over comes evil with goodness and love
Like it never happened, never holding a grudge
I want a heart that forgives that lives and lets lives
One that keeps loves over and over again
One that men can't offend
Cuz your word is deep within
One that loves without price like you lord Jesus Christ
I want a heart that loves everybody
Even my Enemies
I want to love like, be like you, just like you did
I want a heart that forgives, want a heart that forgives
I want a heart that forgives!
When the ones that are closes and that I've known the longest
They hurt me the most; I still wanna love them just like you loved me
Even though I'm hurting, God should know they hurt me deep
Ohhh, want a heart that forgives
When the pain is so deep and it's so hard for me to speak about it
To any one just like your son
I give up my rights to hold it against them with hatred inside
I want a heart that loves everybody, even my Enemies
Good morning and God bless you.
Maranatha!
Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo
For more articles, please visit - http:// okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
Follow on Twitter: @tammytaiwo
Follow on instagram: @lawontaiwo
"And his master’s heart was moved with compassion and he released him and forgave him [canceling] the debt. But that same slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began choking him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe!’ Then his master called him and said to him, ‘You wicked and contemptible slave, I forgave all that [great] debt of yours because you begged me. ‘Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave [who owed you little by comparison], as I had mercy on you?’ And in wrath his master turned him over to the torturers (jailers) until he paid all that he owed. My heavenly Father will also do the same to [every one of] you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” - Matthew 18:27-28, 32-35 (Amplified).
In the autobiography of the former President of South Africa - Nelson Mandela titled "Long Walk To Freedom", there are some very striking statements about forgiveness that I wish everyone will never forget. When Mr Mandela was asked whether he hated the people who imprisoned him for 27 years, he responded by saying, "Absolutely I did, because they’d imprisoned me for so long. I was abused. I didn’t get to see my children grow up. I lost my marriage and the best years of my life. I was angry. But as I got closer to the car that would take me away, I realized that when I went through that gate, if I still hated them, they would still have me. I wanted to be free. And so I let it go.”
The phrase "to let go" literally means "to forgive". Jesus Christ emphasized the importance of forgiveness when he narrated the parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18:21-35. Forgiveness is not an option, but rather a must if we want to enjoy true freedom. Our Saviour demonstrated how to forgive when he choose to let go of the offenses committed against Him on the cross of Calvary ( Luke 23:34). Like Nelson Mandela, Jesus shows that forgiveness is the key that unlocks the prison gates of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. Therefore, anyone who refuses to forgive or let go has deliberately endorsed his/her warrant of arrest and detention in the prison of bitterness and dungeon of hatred. But unfortunately, many people who appear to be free today are actually living in the prison of unforgiveness. They have been tied down with the invisible chains of bitterness and the fetters of hatred. They may appear free but their souls have been bound and caged for everlasting torments in Hell.
Beloved, one of the most subtle but potent baits that satan is using to populate the prison of hell in every generation is unforgiveness. But many careless individuals are falling sheepishly into this wicked trap everyday. I hope you are not one of them! If you are, I urge you to please let go of those offenses like Jesus Christ our prefect example. Please emulate Nelson Mandela by walking out of the prison of bitterness and resentment today before it's too late.
Today, my heart cry to God is that many people will escape from that terrible prison of unforgiveness before this week is over. The love of God will permeate our heart and help us to let go of all resentments. And God will give us a heart that truly forgives. One song that clearly expresses my heart cry is titled " A Heart That Forgives". This song was composed in October 2010 by a gifted songwriter - Kevin LeVar Gray. May I urge you to please join me to make the lyrics of this wonderful song our prayer focus as we trust God to give us a heart full of love and compassion so that the terrible prison of unforgiveness will be depopulated indeed.
A HEART THAT FORGIVES
I want a heart that forgives
A heart full of love
One with compassion just like yours above
One that over comes evil with goodness and love
Like it never happened, never holding a grudge
I want a heart that forgives that lives and lets lives
One that keeps loves over and over again
One that men can't offend
Cuz your word is deep within
One that loves without price like you lord Jesus Christ
I want a heart that loves everybody
Even my Enemies
I want to love like, be like you, just like you did
I want a heart that forgives, want a heart that forgives
I want a heart that forgives!
When the ones that are closes and that I've known the longest
They hurt me the most; I still wanna love them just like you loved me
Even though I'm hurting, God should know they hurt me deep
Ohhh, want a heart that forgives
When the pain is so deep and it's so hard for me to speak about it
To any one just like your son
I give up my rights to hold it against them with hatred inside
I want a heart that loves everybody, even my Enemies
Good morning and God bless you.
Maranatha!
Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo
For more articles, please visit - http:// okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
Follow on Twitter: @tammytaiwo
Follow on instagram: @lawontaiwo
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