A Forgiving Spirit

1 John 2:9-11 states that "anyone who claims to be in the light but hates is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him."

When you are unable to forgive a person, you walk in darkness; you live your life in darkness; you are clouded with bitterness and anger and you do not know where you are going. Do you have an unforgiving spirit? Do you find it hard to forgive someone when they have hurt you?

The Bible says in Matthew 5:44-45, "Love those who hate you. Pray for those who do bad things to you and who make it hard for you. Then you may be the sons of your Father who is in heaven. His sun shines on bad people and on good people. He sends rain on those who are right with God and on those who are not right with God."

God puts bad and good people on this earth for a reason. Those who are hurt by bad people do not have to worry because God sees and knows everything. He will repay them for the hurt inflicted on you.

It is hard to forgive someone when they hurt you. I experienced this as a child and I grew up as a sad and bitter adult. I was helpless and could not prevent being hurt, so I resented my mother and God until I got saved. When I became a Christian and started studying the Bible, I learned that to not forgive was a sin. When we don't forgive, we tell God we don't respect Him.

Matthew 6:14 says, "If you forgive people their sins, your Father in heaven will forgive your sins also."

Forgiveness is an exercise in spiritual growth; the more we forgive, the more we grow. When we are bitter, it stunts our spiritual growth. When our hearts are filled with resentment and anger, there is no room for love.

As Christians we can and should continue to grow in the love and the knowledge of our Saviour as long as we live. When we cease to grow, either emotionally or spiritually, we do ourselves and our loved ones a profound disservice.

We must continue to study and be obedient to the word of God, so that we will be growing Christians and not stagnant believers...and that's exactly what God wants for our lives, to grow.

Psalm 145:8-9 reminds us, "The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and great in faithfulness and in love. The Lord is good to everyone; His compassion rests on all He has made."

Even when we disappoint God, He still loves; He is still willing to forgive us our sins. He wipes our slates clean when we confess our sins and He remembers them no more. That is what the word of God says! We have to strive to follow His example. Forgive and forget.

When you forgive a person who has wronged you, you set yourself free. Free from hurt, anger and bitterness.

Thought for Today: If you have an unforgiving spirit, you are not operating in the will or love of God.