forgiveness, not bitterness

Matthew 6:14  NASB

For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Most people have experienced this.  It is one of those things that is easy, almost too easy.  I am talking about when you choose to hold on to pain rather than let go.  It is when bitterness gets a good hold on your heart and mind all the while everything about you holds tight to wrong.

God desires that we release people.  That is we release people from the things they did that hurt us or that offended us.  By offering forgiveness we release others, personally and further.

Choosing not to forgive someone disconnects us from God and from others.  Forgiveness draws us closer to God and renews relationships with others.

Luke 6:27-31,35  NLT

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. 30 Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. 31 Do to others as you would like them to do to you… 35 “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.

Those verses are clear.  Blessings come to the person who chooses to give and not to take.  We will be repaid for offering forgiveness instead of holding on to the pain of being hurt by other people.

Doing good to the people we’ve been separated from is just what Jesus did.  We can do the same, and when we do, we will make a difference in the lives of others.

May our lives offer forgiveness and not bitterness to all we know and all we come in contact with.