FREE!
One of the areas in which it’s often hard to be a DOER is to forgive others as Christ has forgiven us. Following are some Scriptures from my book, The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World, and the Renewed and Transformed Conference I did for my friends at Lincoln Park, New Jersey.
WHY WE CHOOSE TO FORGIVE
God commands & empowers me to forgive. Mt 18:35
To not forgive is willful disobedience & refusing His empowerment. Phil 4:13
Forgiving identifies me with Christ. Mt 12:50
Forgiveness FREES me to walk in the good works God’s prepared for me. Eph 2:10
If we feel stuck and that we just can’t forgive, what can we do?
ACKNOWLEDGE CHRIST’S WAYS
Imitate Christ. Eph 4:32, 5:1
Pray, “Jesus, help me.”
Put the chain of bitterness away from you. Lay it at the foot of the cross. Eph 4:31
Claim Phil 4:13, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
Yield to the Holy Spirit & His empowerment. Eph 5:18
ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO BE FREED FROM BITTERNESS AND TO WALK IN THE FREEDOM OF FORGIVENESS
If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. Jn 8:32
Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. Jn 8:34
So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. Jn 8:36
for he who has died is freed from sin. Rom 6:7
It was for freedom that Christ set us free, therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Gal 5:1
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Mt 6:12
For if you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. Mt 6:14
I PRAY YOU WALK IN THE FREEDOM TO WHICH CHRIST CALLS YOU.
Heavenly Father, thank You that Your commands are for our own benefit. Help us not balk against Your command to put bitterness away from us or Your command to forgive as we have been forgiven. Rather, may we run to Your throne room in obedience and do just what You tell us each time the need arises. In Jesus’ name and for His glory, Amen.