FORGIVENESS

In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do.
You can't receive forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others.
If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part.

He who shows mercy to men receives mercy from God.

Question:
Have you ever noticed that it is sometimes hard to forgive?

Why can't I forgive?

We all know that forgiveness is important and critical to any healing in a relationship.

Still the question remains:
"Why is it so hard for some people to forgive?"

THREE MAIN BARRIERS TO FORGIVENESS

1. The inability to see our own mistakes and imperfections.

Matthew 7:2-4
"For with whatever judgment you judge, you shall be judged; and with whatever measure you measure out, it shall be measured to you again.
And why do you look on the splinter that is in your brother's eye, but do not consider the beam that is in your own eye?
Or how will you say to your brother, Let me pull the splinter out of your eye; and, behold, a beam is in your own eye?"

If we're unable to see our own faults and mistakes, how can we possibly move toward forgiveness in our relationships?

We must first be able to admit that we're not perfect and that we're capable of hurting people we love.

Ephesians 4:32
"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you."

This gives us compassion one to another.

2. Unresolved anger.

Unresolved anger is a major hinders of forgiveness and healing which brings reconciliation between one another.

If we refuse to let go of bitterness, rage or hatred, we're hold on to the very destructive forces that will destroy us.

Ephesians 4:31
"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and tumult and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."

These forces are in direct contrast to the power of forgiveness, and they cannot exist together.

3. A misunderstanding of what forgiveness is.

Many people have great misconceptions about what forgiveness is, and therefore they struggle with it.

Two New Testament words we translate 'to forgive' mean literally 'to let go' and 'to cancel a debt'.

I found that at times the phrase 'I forgive you' seemed empty, so I said;

Forgiveness may lead to reconciliation or it may not, but they are not the same.

Romans 12:18
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

Question:
What does it mean to forgive?

Matthew 6:14-15
"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

"To forgive" mean literally:
'To let go' and 'to cancel a debt'.