At the Cross of Calvary, the sinless Lord Jesus Christ carried our sins in his body! He was the sacrificial lamb of Redemption “He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins--and not only our sins but the sins of the entire world.” 1 John 2:2 .He needed God the Father to accept the Sacrifice. He had to forgive the people who nailed him. He asked the Father to forgive his ‘enemies.’ That was so necessary for the sacrifice to be accepted. There is no doubt, without forgiveness, no sacrifice is acceptable. Forgiveness is an act of our will in which we give up the right to hold another person accountable for the wrongs they have done to us.
The Lord Jesus Christ, our role model revealed the importance of forgiveness! “For 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.” Matthew 6: 14-16. At the cross, The Father forsook the Son for the first time! God does not tolerate sins. Jesus was carrying the huge sins of the world! Remember, he never committed any sin! Forgiving his enemies was a spiritual exercise necessary to attract God’s mercies and intervention. In pains and in agony, he had to forgive. He forgave those who nailed him. He forgave those who mocked him; those who spat at him. He forgave those who tore his clothes; those who flogged him! He forgave all. Most of them had enjoyed his miracles! If he could forgive, the Father had no option than to forgive the huge sins he was carrying! The sins of the world! Forgiveness attracts forgiveness! God’s word cannot be broken.
No one can please God without forgiveness. No one can do the will of God without forgiveness. The Bible recorded that David was a man after God’s heart. He pleased the Lord. He did the will of God. God Himself trusted him so much. Look at this: “But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’ Acts 13:22. David deserved it. David forgave Saul, his greatest enemy! The Bible recorded that at a time, King Saul faced a great challenge. Goliath and other armies of Philistines would have defeated Israel. Saul would have been captured and made a slave in his enemies’ land! David killed that same Goliath! People praised David. Saul became jealous! He wanted to kill David at all cost. That same David got a good opportunity to kill Saul. Instead of killing him, he forgave! Saul said, “You are more righteous than I,"1 Samuel 24:17.
It's quite unfortunate and terrible that there is no one without sins. “ …all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23. Everyone has offended God, (the Creator) in one way or the other. If God judges us, no one is worthy of being alive. God expects us to forgive those who have offended us. If we do, he Himself would forgive us. “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6: 37. We forgive by faith, out of obedience. Since forgiveness goes against our nature, we must forgive by faith, whether we feel like it or not. We must trust God to do the work in us that needs to be done so that the forgiveness will be complete.
I believe God honors our commitment to obey Him and our desire to please Him when we choose to forgive. He completes the work in His time. We must continue to forgive (our job), by faith, until the work of forgiveness (the Lord's job), is done in our hearts. The Lord started it; He will perfect it. (Philippians 1:6).
Remember, Jesus left His beautiful Throne in Heaven just to forgive our sins! It’s a great lesson/example. You too can travel in order to forgive! He says, ‘if you want to give offering and you remember that you have something against anyone, do not give the offering. Go back and release/forgive him; then, come back and give your offering.” Matthew 5:23-24.
Forgiveness is a source of emotional health and freedom. It has the power to set us free from the hurts of the past, whether we are talking about seven minutes ago, or seven years ago. Forgiveness frees us to love those who have hurt us. Forgiveness is so powerful. When you forgive, you do not need to divorce your spouse! Forgiveness can do the job the chief judges could not do. With forgiveness, there will be no rebellion, argument, war and revenge! Your home can be a lovely paradise when you forgive. You will certainly enjoy your job, your marriage, that relationship, your church, your organization, your country when you forgive!
Pastor Chidi Onyesonwu is the Presiding Pastor, Saving Ark Christian Ministry Arab Road Kubwa Abuja. Tel:08164344458.Website: www.savingark.org
To get more knowledge about Jesus Christ,the Role Model and also receive the grace and power to forgive,click here.Or visit:www.savingark.org
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