The Power of walking in Forgiveness - Mark 11:25-26 / Part 2
Dec 6, 2021 | by Teacher Michael Carter
The Power of walking in Forgiveness - Mark 11:25-26 / Part 2
There is power in walking in forgiveness
Kingdom Principle: Forgive as God has forgiven us
Colossians 3:13
Forgiveness means to send away, release, and to remit. There is a power when God forgives our sin that releases our guilt and repositions us with Him. There is a power when we forgive others that removes bitterness and lifts the weight of unforgiveness. And there is a power that restores and builds our self esteem when we forgive ourselves. There is a power in walking in forgiveness
- Without forgiveness life is governed by an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation.~ Roberto Assagioli
- How unhappy is he who cannot forgive himself. ~ Publilius Syrus
- We ask for forgiveness. And we forgive others who ask us. In that way we can experience healing, healing in our souls.– Ed Dobsons
Walking in forgiveness is a choice of obedience that impacts our lives. Colossians 3:13
It impacts our relationship with God, ourselves and all of our relationships. And it impacts how we perceive ourselves. Forgiveness is not about how we feel. Often, we won’t feel like walking in forgiveness. However, it’s a choice from our will to obey God and walk in forgiveness. And when we do, there is a power that’s released in our lives.
Walking in forgiveness starts with God
God defines the standards of life and what sin is, not man. Sin is the violation of the laws of God and the choice to go against that inner witness that convicts of wrong doing. Yes, there are written laws in the word of God that speak to sin. Yet, even without them God has placed in us a moral compass and witness that convicts of sin that requires forgiveness from God. Romans 2:14-15
Keep in mind that we all come here with a natural inclination to sin. Ephesians 2:2-3
This is because the law of sin and death presides in the unbeliever’s spirit. Romans 8:1-2 We all were born this way. Psalm 51:5 / Romans 3:23. This law plays out in our lives as we make good and bad choices. When we sin, we are convicted of sin and are in need of God’s forgiveness. Otherwise, we are at odds with Him and subject to His wrath and judgment. We all are in need of the forgiveness of God.
However, we aren't forgiven based on our own merits. Nor of our own abilities and volition can we cure our sin problem. Psalm 130:3-4
~ Our acts, good deeds and righteousness will not qualify us. Isaiah 64:6
~ We cannot earn it. Ephesians 2:8
~ Nor do we deserve the forgiveness of God. We deserve His guilty judgment. Romans 6:23
The answer and cure for sin is the forgiveness of God based on His mercy and grace. Micah 7:18-19. God facilitated this through the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. John 1:29. God extends His forgiveness towards those who humbly repent of their sins and ask for His forgiveness. Psalm 32:1-2 Thankfully, God extends His forgiveness based on His love, mercy, grace and desire to have a relationship with man.
God forgives us, therefore, we are to forgive others. Ephesians 4:32
We choose to forgive others because God chose to forgive us Mark 11:25-26. We didn't deserve it; and in our thinking and feelings they don't they deserve us forgiving them either. Yet, our forgiveness towards others is a choice that's not about them or our feelings, but us. Holding on to that sin compromises our relationship with God and defiles our heart. When we forgive them and let it go, bitterness is lifted and our hearts are clean before God. Forgiveness is about letting go, expressing the heart of God and keeping our hearts clean before Him. Forgiveness is not about them, but us.
Consider David’s interaction with Nabal in 1st Samuel 25
David sent men to Nabal requesting that he share a portion of his earnings from his herds. This was not unreasonable because David’s men protected the man’s workers. But Nabal was an evil man. He was offensive, ungrateful, and disrespectful. He cursed and dishonored David. His offence was worthy of death. Being offended, David gathered his troops to handle the matter.
Yet, before they arrived one of Nabal’s workers reported the matter to Nabal’s wife Abigail.
Not only is this a perfect example of interceding on the behalf of another, but the efforts of a very wise woman. She knew that her husband was an evil rude man. And his actions towards the king were worthy of death. She knew what the outcome was going to be. She gathered gifts and bounty to meet David and his men before they would arrive to exact judgment. Although she brought supplies and gifts, notice what she asked David. 1st Samuel 25:28 (KJV) 28 I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days. After mentioning what God is going to do in his life, she appeals to the condition of David’s heart. Look at 1st Samuel 25:30-31
Her appeal questioned if David wanted to walk in vengeance or forgiveness; a matter that spoke to David having this matter on his heart?
David had every right to exact vengeance on this guy. But did he want this act on the ledger of his heart when he comes into his inheritance as king. David wanted vengeance but he chose forgiveness. He understood what she was telling him concerning his heart and withheld his judgment and forgave the man. He was grateful to her and recognized her wisdom. Look at 1st Samuel 25:32-35 . A quick note: The man died and David later had her as his wife. But's that another teaching.
Our obedience to forgive is not about how we feel or the other person; it’s about us!. Colossians 3:12-13
We have to choose to let go of the desire that the person somehow has to pay for the offence, and forgive them. Ultimately, that's God's position as judge, not ours. This helps us to stave off bitterness and keeps our hearts clean. And when we forgive, we are obeying God and keeping ourselves in the position for Him to forgive us. This is the power of forgiveness. This is why it’s so important to walk in forgiveness towards others.
Walking in forgiveness requires that we forgive ourselves.
When we don’t forgive ourselves it impacts how we see ourselves, our self worth and self esteem. We tend to hold on to guilt and condemnation, beating ourselves up, and seeing ourselves as damaged. Whether imposed or assumed, how we perceive ourselves impacts our relationship with God and how we succeed and live forward in life. We will not out perform our self perception and self worth.
Consider what we call the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32
You know the story. The youngest son determined to take his inheritance and live sinfully. He had begun to run out of money as his life was spiraling downhill. He found himself in bad conditions and out of place spiritually and naturally. At some point, he came to himself; or he simply responded to that inner conviction in his heart. He realized he could do better back at home.
Notice what he said to his father when he returned home in Luke 15:21
The inner guilt that caused him to come to himself was the result of him realizing that he was living a sinful life style. However, this perception also caused him to see himself as a bad, damaged person. Although his father forgave him, he had yet to forgive himself. He saw himself not worthy of being his father’s son. It impacted his self worth, self esteem and expectations. He needed to forgiven himself. And not look at himself as a damaged failure. we all make mistakes and fail. But we are not our mistakes. we are who God declares we are in His word. Forgive yourself and see yourself according to the word of God.
Another point to glean from this parable is his father’s response to him returning and repentance. Luke 15:22-24
Upon his son’s return and repentance, his father was delighted that he had returned. And he treated the boy as though he had not sinned and celebrated his return. This is the same response that God has when we repent and ask forgiveness from Him. Actually, this was the point of Jesus teaching this parable in the first place. Go up earlier in the chapter and look at Luke 15:1-10
When we don’t forgive ourselves it impacts our self esteem, self worth and expectations spiritually and naturally.
We may not see ourselves worthy of God’s best. Fact is; we will accept the love and life that we believe we deserve. Our perception of what we deserve is based on our self worth and esteem. Although the father forgave him, the prodigal son saw himself lesser than a son because he had not forgiven himself. It impacted his self esteem, self worth and expectations.
When we repent, God forgives us; forgive yourself and see yourself as God sees you. 1 John 1
Yes, there may be some consequences to our actions. Yet, even in the consequences of our sin, God is moving on our behalf. God forgives and remits our sin and repositions us with Him as His son and releases His favor towards us. No you’re not a bad damaged person, you’re simply human. Accept God’s forgiveness, forgive yourself, see yourself as God does, live forward and expect to succeed.
Conclusion - There is power in walking in forgiveness.
- Forgiveness means to send away, release, and to remit. There is a power when God forgives our sin that remits sin and repositions us with Him. Forgiveness from God is based on His mercy and grace, not us. When you’re convicted repent quickly and receive God’s forgiveness.
- There is a power when we forgive others that removes bitterness and lifts the weight of unforgiveness. Ultimately, vengeance and judgment belongs to God. Let go of the desire for the person to experience some type of consequences because of their offence and sin. Let it go and forgiven them. It keeps your heart clean, and positions you to be be forgiven by God.
- Forgiveness is a choice of the will, not your feelings. You may never feel like forgiving that person. But forgiveness is not about the person, but you. Choose to forgive them and live forward.
- And there is a power that restores and builds our self esteem when we forgive ourselves. Yes, you made that mistake. However, you are not your mistakes. You are who God says you are. When you repent and ask God to forgive you, He will do it. Receive it, walk in it and forgive yourself and see yourself the way God does ion his word and live expecting God's best and to succeed.
There is a power in walking in forgiveness!