FORGIVENESS

                      OFFENCES & FORGIVENESS

Offence is a constant, so also is forgiveness. Offences must come and it has always been stated that forgiveness should follow in order to please God. Forgiveness is your responsibility, my opportunity and collectively, is our obligation. When we forgive others we are actually forgiving ourselves.

Never cut what can be untied—JOSEPH JOUBERT

As your responsibility; if you don’t forgive it eats you down. It causes internal rotting that manifest outward as annoyance and wrath. Unforgiveness is the seed to hatred, and when grown produces a gigantic psychological web that entails bitterness. It is actually very difficult to get out of bitterness but it is not impossible. You have a responsibility to forgive. This obligation is not to me, neither to God but to you. This is because if you don’t forgive you will not be forgiven, either by God or by man. It is a reversible chain. When you forgive others you will have a lower negative thoughts, you will not be criticised by your thoughts. “He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which himself must pass”—GEORGE HERBERT

On the standard scale the person who offends you have no part to play in you forgiving him or her, even if they are aware. Just as salvation is personal so also forgiveness is also personal, unlike reconciliation which need both parties; it is a single minded business. You decide whether to forgive or not. Your nature as a Christian should be set default to forgiveness.

Although as humans there may be an offence that we consider as out of this world! It may be so much difficult to get out of such trauma and as our adamic nature requires may initially want to seek revenge but let me quickly add that “there is no revenge as complete as forgiveness.”—JOSH BILLINGS

 Forgiveness is done in the heart before it is practicalised as reconciliation in the outward. You can only show your forgiveness by the way you think, reply and interact with the person involve. You must forgive before you reconcile.

And be ye kind one to another tender hearted forgiving one another even as God for Christ sake have forgiven you. -- BIBLE

My opportunity. When forgiven I would have the opportunity to know my wrong and change to do the right thing next time as it is said, never repeat old grievances. You see that the individual does not need to be told he is forgiven except he is aware he has offended. If you don’t forgive you can’t be forgiven by our Lord Jesus. Forgiveness is a must for all Christians. Forgive so you can be forgiven, if not, you would not be forgiven and if you are not forgiven by our Lord Jesus you can’t make heaven.

If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins your father will not forgive your sins.—BIBLE

It is as simple as ABC.