Forgiveness

Civil Rights March on Washington, D.C. James Baldwin with actors Marlon Brando and Charlton Heston., 08/28/1963 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Recently, I was shocked to find out recently that I had still not fully forgiven aformer good friend who was not so nice to me during a bad time! The word of God is clear about forgiveness. We have to forgive to be blessed. We cannot receive from God if we hold anyone in unforgiveness. So we must forgive because God says so and for ourselves as well.

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”I (Matt. 6:14,15).

Do not be deceived, it is not easy to truly forgive. You can say it all you want but the acid test is to search your heart with the help of the Holy Spirit.

We must search our hearts and ask the Holy Spirit to help us know that we truly have forgiven those who have wronged or hurt us. I was shocked about the emotions I had not fully explored about this friend but it was also a blessing because I was able examine my heart and make sure I had truly forgiven other people. I include that prayer in my daily prayers to God.

Some of us have anger which masks the hurt we truly feel. We have to submit all these feelings to God, over and over until we know that he has healed and taken it away. Even with our spouses and children, sometimes they hurt us but we must forgive them so that we can have rich meaningful relationships. Why? because that is what God wants.

In America, I think one of the things that fans racial animus is anger and unforgiveness. I am African so I know I do not have the full experience of having ancestors sold into slavery and also living in a society in which race is somehow always explosive. Yes, there will always be White folk who will think less of you because of your skin color but as a Christian should that really gall you so much? Is it not Christs opinion that should matter in all this? Is your self worth defined by the press or some ignorant fellow. You are who you are in Christ, Claim it! 🙂

If you are White, some Black people probably will always dislike you because apart from the slavery, racism still persists in a virulent form in America. However, is it really worth it to judge people based on some past injustice? What does Christ say about all this. The Lords prayer asks that we forgive as he forgives us too.

I think one of the ways racism can start being healed is by forgiving and also not caring about these opinions and focusing on God and Christ’s views of us alone.

Half of my family is White and even though I am a full-blooded African, I am always amazed at some generalizations that some in my extended family (Black and White make). We must forgive and love (agape) in order to go forward.

Above all, do not make another person’s problem your problem when it comes to unforgiveness. If a racist jerk or a disloyal friend acts horribly, do not go around with a chip on your shoulder carrying their racism and irrational hate, and being suspicious of every person as racist or untrustworthy. Give it to God and whenever the emotion arises, give it to him again and keep it moving. Set your face on Christ like a FLINT. Amen!

There is freedom in letting go. There is healing in releasing hurt and pain. Anger is a weak mask and does not enable healing but God can heal us and lead us to a place of peace and expectation.

It is a good life and we can enjoy it by God’s grace and favor.

I wish you well!  Blessings to you in the name of our Good and Mighty Lord who blesses us with all Good things and Protects our lives and future. Amen and Amen.