Blog 44: Forgiveness

This week's blog has been prepared by guest contributor, Christine McDonald.

‘Be kind, compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ has forgiven you’—Ephesians 4:32

Letting go

One definition of forgiveness is letting go of my high expectations and accepting people for what they are and not what I think they should be.

Letting go of my expectations of them.

Practice what you preach The whole of the Christian faith is based on forgiveness. God in his love has forgiven us so we are able to have a relationship with Him. We are called to be an example of God to other people.

God in turn wants us to practice forgiveness so we become living examples of the love of God to people around us. So must I!

This is God's forgiveness:

'Be kind, compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ has forgiven you.'—Ephesians 4:32
'Forgive as God has forgiven you.'—Colossians 3:13
'If we confess ... He forgives.' —1 John 1:9
'Who is a God like you who pardons and forgives.'—Micah 7:18
'God has removed my sins as far as the east is from the west.' —Psalm 103:11,12

God has forgiven me and I need in turn to forgive others. The power of forgiveness

When I forgive others : - I no longer make demands of the other person - I experience peace in my heart - I can have peace with God - I am set free inside - I can communicate with God If I choose not to …

When I fail to forgive others:

- I become enslaved to myself. - I suffer!

- the toxic root of bitterness poisons every area of my life.

- I hold on to my pain instead of giving it to God. Never forget

Don't expect someone to give or be what they are unable to give.
Allow God to meet my needs—other people don't have that capacity!

Forgive others

Don't allow the inability of others to meet my needs, to govern the way I treat them.
Don't criticise. Pray and let go

When I forgive I get rid of unwanted scripts, such as;

"they deserve it."
"they need to pay."
"I will just keep out of their way."

Don't keep a record of wrongs. I had an uncle who kept a book of everything wrong people had done to him—what a sad, unhappy guy he was! Psalm 62:8 tells us to pour out your hearts to God. Your choice

You can choose to be offended by a person's actions or let them go … Your choice.

Tweet this:

'Life happens … tough things happen and they colour our lives—But we can choose the colour.'—Christine McDonald Application

What do you have to do this week to apply what you have read?

How can I apply these thoughts to my life?
Is there someone I need to forgive?
What do I need to do?
How can I gain peace with God?

Use a verse from God's word to encourage you in the pathway of forgiveness. Isaiah 30:18 'Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you. And therefore He waits on high to have compassion in you. For the Lord is a God of justice; how blessed are all those who long for him.'

One person

If you found this blog inspiring, confronting, even amusing, Thank you.

Please share it’s message with one person who could use it’s encouragement.

Until next week … best regards.

The NWBC Blogging Team

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