Forgiveness

I just did a study on forgiveness and it blew my mind. It is not only something we are called to do, it actually damages us when we don't. It was said that unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping that someone else gets sick from it. Truthfully, much of what we need to forgive is totally unknown by the offender. People do not get the damage they do to one another. Is total forgiveness possible. The bible says yes. It also says that we are to forgive others as we want to be forgiven. What if we are only forgiven to the extent that we forgive those that offend us? I realized I was walking around with some very serious poison for a very long time.

James McDondald is a Pastor and host of radio program Walk in the Word. On his show he explained very simply that when an offense is made there is a debt to be paid. In most cases the price of the offense is too big for a person to pay. When we forgive we let them off the hook, they owe nothing. This is what God does for us. He cancels our debt and totally forgives us.

Matthew 6:12 (American Standard Version)
12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.


Father,
You know this is one of the hardest things to lay down. Show us where we have unforgivness in our hearts. Teach us where things stand in the way of the peace You want for us. Teach us how to forgive totally and be free from offenses. I pray this over all the EOD people. Bless them and keep them in Your care.
In Jesus' name,
Amen