Do You Need to Forgive Someone?

I just need to ask you - is there anyone in your life that you need to forgive???  I just have to ask.  For some reason, that subject has just been on my mind so very much lately.  I've been under the preaching of two of the finest preachers that a person could ask for -- and bitterness and criticism and forgiving others seems to be a reoccurring theme among each of them. 

And through that, and the spirit that God has given me, I find myself often examining myself, to see if there is unforgiveness in my spirit.  But it has also increased the sensitivity in my "smeller" for unforgiveness, and so when I observe and hear and feel it in the lives of others - especially my loved ones and friends - it hurts me in the deep places of my heart - because it just doesn't have to be.  Particularly for you who are my Christian brothers and sisters - you who love and serve the Lord Jesus. 

I ask again:  is there someone you need to forgive?

God deals with this issue in the Word of God in several different instances.  One thing I love about Jesus is that he loved spending time with his disciples and he invested in them and cared about them and poured his being into them one by one.

"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."

Of course, Jesus did not mean that Peter should stop forgiving at 490 times (an intentionally odd number).  He was telling Peter that he should go on forgiving and forgiving and forgiving and forgiving and forgiving and forgiving and forgiving and forgiving and forgiving and forgiving and forgiving .... ad infinitum - to infinity - and beyond.

And these are quite simply some of the most sobering words of the Bible.  During his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stated, “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."  Do not mistake this passage.  Jesus is not saying that saved people will lose their salvation.  He is stating that Christians that refuse to forgive men their trespasses will suffer great loss as a result of their bitterness - both in this life - and in the life to come. 

Regardless of who is at fault - the bitterness and unforgiving spirit that can consume us if we allow it can do so for a lifetime and it is NOT worth it, friends.  The Bible says that the enemy has come to steal, kill and destroy.  (I John 4:9-10)  He wants your testimony, your earthy life, but most of all, he wants the souls of men.  Let us resolve to forgive those who have wronged us, so that the root of bitterness doesn't destroy us.  Perhaps the time has come to make a call, write a letter or pay a  visit to that person.  Heck, if you need me to pray about the matter with me, give me a call and I'd be happy to - 901-237-9504.  I love to pray with people about this subject matter.. May God bless your richly tonight.