Ignoring wrong is denial, not tolerance. However, recognizing and forgiving wrongdoing is powerful!
Forgiving others releases any emotional chokehold their hurtful words or behaviors have on your life. One of the best gifts you can give yourself is to forgive others.
Without judgment there can be no forgiveness. If no wrong is believed to have been done, then there’s nothing to forgive.
Forgiving others has nothing to do with a bad memory and everything to do with an obedient heart. To forgive someone isn’t to excuse their behavior, but to choose to refuse to blame or accuse them anymore. You can forgive someone without their cooperation, but you can’t be reunited to them without it.
Forgiveness needs to be not only given to others, but also asked for yourself. Ask people and God: “Will you please forgive me?” and see what happens. Trying to forgive yourself is trying to shortcut God’s process. Instead ask God and the people you’ve harmed to forgive you.
Far more people have heard a sermon about forgiving others than have actually forgiven everybody. (Perhaps more than a sermon is needed.)
You wouldn’t want your car washed with toxic water so why let yourself be brainwashed with toxic words, images, and media? Today is the factory for your future. Everything you think, believe, read, watch, say, and do is manufacturing your tomorrows. If you’re not open and honest, why should you expect anyone else to be.
Life’s a puzzle. Don’t complain. Instead, enjoy trying to put it together using God’s Instruction Book. The Good News is that Jesus will forgive the mess we’ve made and change our heart so that we make less mess in the future.
Society tells people to do whatever feels natural to them. Christ’s forgiveness calls and empowers people to live better than their human nature.
