Rev. J. Loren Russell
Mark 11:25-26 (NKJV)
“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
I recently read a joke about a four-year old who prayed, ‘And forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets.’ You don’t stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing! I would argue that the joke about a four-year-old’s prayer illustrates an even greater lose happens when we do not forgive.
There is so much evidence of the negative physiological and psychological effects holding onto grudges and an overall lack of forgiveness has on people that a library can be establish on that topic alone. It may not be as easy to measure the unseen impact a lack of forgiveness has in our spiritual lives, but the scripture from Mark indicates that there are supernatural outcomes that have eternal consequences. Just to be clear, The Bible declares in no uncertain terms that the forgiveness of sins leads to eternal life.
The Apostle Paul stood before King Agrippa and told him that he was sent to both the Jews and Gentiles with a direct message from Jesus that would turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, “that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me’” (Acts 26:18). The gospel of Matthew (6:14-15) says the same thing but in different words, “If you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, your Father in heaven will forgive you. But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Forgiveness is the key, not only to personal happiness while we are in the land of the dying, but to eternal life in the kingdom of God when we have breathed our last and become children of eternity. Therefore, a practical understanding of forgiveness is needed so that we can forgive, be forgiven, and get all the benefits that go along with it.
The first person we need to forgive is ourselves. As a believer in Christ, which I pray you are, you have already been forgiven for every sin you have ever committed, even if we are paying the penalty. If God can forgive us, we need to now forgive ourselves. Everything He has allowed to come into your life has been for your good, even if you could not or cannot see it.
The next person to forgive is God. Forgive Him for everything you have blamed Him for in your life, consciously or unconsciously. I will say it again, everything He has allowed to come into your life has been for your good, even if you could not or cannot see it.
The third person to forgive is every member of your family. I know, this is very difficult, but it must be done. You are aware that the only persons who can really push your buttons are those closest to you, don’t you? When you learn to forgive them, you will experience probably the greatest sense of relief you have ever had. “Forgive them for they know not what they do” were the words Jesus spoke on the cross of those who agreed to crucified Him. Use His same words to forgive your family members.
Finally, forgive any and everyone else who has ever done anything to you. Even if you have every legal, moral, ethical reason to hate, hold a grudge, or resent, forgive them and be cleansed of bitterness to the point that you can pray for those who spitefully use and persecute you. I like the way the writer of Proverbs 25: 21-22 guides us; “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you.”
If you have not found the key to happiness and everlasting life, let me restate it so there is no misunderstanding, the key that you are looking for is “forgiveness!”
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is an associate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church and is the spiritual leader of the Evangelical Church of God, both in the Bronx, President/CEO of The JLR Company/J Loren R Consulting, LLC for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096) and is the executive producer and host of “Matters of Faith: The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on the Matters of Faith YouTube Channel and Facebook Live. Be sure to ‘Friend’ us. Email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177.
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