''..Don’t think I’m carrying around a list of personal grudges. The fact is that I’m joining in with your forgiveness, as Christ is with us, guiding us. After all, we don’t want to unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief—we’re not oblivious to his sly ways!'' 2 Corin. 2:10-11 (MSG)
In continuation of our discussion on the remnant strategy, the wise sayings of Dr. Nelson Mandela (the former president of South Africa) on forgiveness comes to mind. When Dr. 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 unforgiving 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 chose to let go of the offenses committed against Him on the cross of Calvary (Luke 23:34). Like Dr. 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 or her warrant of arrest and detention in the prison of bitterness and dungeon of hatred. 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.
“Unforgiveness is like drinking poison yourself and waiting for the other person to die” - Marianne Williamson
Those who walk in unforgiveness may think they are punishing or trying to get even with the offender but they are hurting themselves unknowingly. Sometimes, forgiveness could be extremely hard; However, our feelings are not superior to the Word of God. Forgiveness is not a piece of advice in the Bible; it is a command (Matt 6:12). Hence, we must obey God by forgiving everyone that offends us. What you stand to gain by forgiving is more than what you think you will lose. Please leave the matter to God; don’t seek revenge. God will do a better job than you. He is the God of justice. He will fight for you. Don’t open your life to the devil through unforgiveness. Don’t let him take advantage of you to hang carcasses of dead dogs in your life (2 Corin 2:10-11).
Beloved, don’t be ignorant of the devices of the devil. Unforgiveness is still a very potent weapon in the devil's armoury. Unfortunately, many careless individuals are falling sheepishly into this wicked bait 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 perfect example. Please emulate Dr. Mandela by walking out of the prison of bitterness and resentment today.
The lyrics of this song below summarizes what should be our desire till we finish our race on earth:
A HEART THAT FORGIVES by K. L Gray 2010
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
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
May God's love permeate our heart and help us to let go of all resentments so that we will not become a victim of this wicked bait of the devil.
Good day & God bless you.
Maranatha!
Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo
https://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment