I just cannot seem to get away from the subject of Forgiveness.
In my prayer time recently, when I said, “Show me my heart, LORD!” He took me to this Scripture in Mark 11,
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins,” Mark 11:25.
Beloved, there is a real link between Forgiveness and effective Prayer!
In the Scriptures, when Jesus was instructing His Disciples how to pray what we know as “The LORD’s Prayer” [Matthew 6:5-15], immediately after that, He emphasized the need to release Forgiveness to those who have wronged us!
I looked in several versions of the Bible, and I love how the Message Bible presents the scripture, Mark 11:22-25.
“Jesus was matter-of-fact:
“Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake’ — no shuffling or hemming and hawing — and it’s as good as done. That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it’s not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive — only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins.”” Mark 11:22-25 MSG.
Notice also, there is a link between Forgiveness and Faith when we pray:
“…whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours”, Mark 11:24.
There is another powerful reminder of this in Luke 17:3-5.
It addresses the importance of forgiveness along with our personal responsibility.
“Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.” The apostles said to the LORD, “Increase our faith!” Luke 17:3-5 NASB.
The disciples realized that to live this would require and greater measure of Faith, because when someone has repeatedly hurt us or wronged us, it is not easy to Forgive…..
Beloved, we are no different than the Disciples when this happens. That is our first response — it is not easy!
Jesus’ answer immediately assured them that increased Faith for greater effectiveness in Prayer was not only possible, but it was necessary! (Luke 17:6),
As I pondered the Scriptures, I totally concluded once again that Forgiveness is an act of obedience to willingly get past our feelings and forgive as an act of our will.
Then, as we walk it out, we are healed of our pain.
Job also had to forgive his friends for their wrong judgment of him before he could pray effectively for them. (Job 42:10).
As I paused to absorb and fit the word together in my heart, the LORD said, “Daughter, Love never fails, and part of True Love is Forgiving those who have wronged you!
My Word says Faith expresses itself through Love.
So as you express The Truth of Forgiveness, you will embrace My Love to flow like a river to the one who wronged you when you obey My Word.
Then, you will look back at this act of obedience and realize that My Love and Forgiveness bring healing to the one who caused the wrong — as well as the one who received the wrong!
Beloved, I adjure you to take up the weapon of Forgiveness to overcome the world and drive back the forces of evil and darkness at work within it.
A hurt of hatred and judgment is behind the division in the world today, as well as the division in The Church,” says The LORD.
The weapons of your warfare are not carnal, but they are mighty.
Forgiveness brings balance to those who feel as though they are walking a tightrope and are not going to make it through.
As I struggled with Forgiveness with someone close to me, the LORD gave me the Scripture in Proverbs 18 that says,
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a castle,” Proverbs 18:19.
If we allow relationships to falter and unforgiveness to rule our hearts, we are not building up the Kingdom of God, and we are not tearing down the kingdom of Satan.
We are actually hindering the Kingdom of God and aiding the kingdom of darkness to cover the earth!
As I repented and forgave as an act of my will, very soon, I began to be healed and had no more bad feelings when I encountered the one who had wounded me.
Obedience is indeed better than sacrifice. (1 Samuel 15:22)
Immediately, the LORD spoke, “Daughter, Friendships deserve care and attention.
Do not ever treat them lightly. A true friend is of great value, and they are too precious a gift to lose.
Always walk away from unnecessary conflict. If you engage in conflict, you will open the door to the enemy, for where there is envying and strife, there is confusion and every evil work.
I AM equipping you to be a Peacemaker, and you need to begin to release Peace and Love into every area I send you to.
Let Kindness be your signature when you move forward. Leave others with an act of Kindness,” said the LORD.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Heart Matters
Featured Image by Chris Liverani on Unsplash
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