Forgiveness needed...

As Christians I think we sometimes take the forgiveness of our sins for granted and often forget that we are called to forgive just as we have been forgiven.

Matthew 6:14-15 - For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

As we read this and other verses in the Word, we are reminded that our forgiveness is conditional on our ability to forgive those who have sinned against us.  Have you ever said or heard something like "I could never forgive what they did to me!"  Have you ever struggled with the concept of forgiveness because in your mind it excuses someone from something...that is just to inexcusable?  I am pretty sure we have all been there and many may still be there today.  So I wonder...is forgiveness about you, or is forgiveness about the person who wronged you?  If me being forgiven for my sins is dependent on me being able to forgive...then forgiveness has to be more for me than the other person.

Since the Words in Matthew 6 are true...aren't we only hurting ourselves when we don't forgive?

2 Corinthians 2:10-11 - Anyone you forgive, I also forgive.  And what I have forgiven - if there was anything to forgive - I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us.  For we are not unaware of his schemes.

Paul is telling the church of Corinth, that anyone they forgive that he also forgives.  That seems strange doesn't it?  What's the point?  I think this is a perfect example regarding something we see much to often today.  Have you ever taken on someone else's wounds, ever experienced someone being hurt and then become a champion for them in the hate and discontent department?  Only to be confused at their lack of concern and being angered at their ability to forgive?  I have...and what Paul is saying here is that he isn't going to do that...that if they forgive...he forgives.

But Paul goes on..."in order that Satan might not outwit us"...  You see, our  inability to forgive not only hinders our ability to be forgiven, it also gives our enemy a stronghold in our life.  The longer we let it go, the worse our thoughts can get.  We start imagining getting even, maybe even harm coming to the person...Satan goes to work on us...and because of our inability to forgive; we move away from God.

Are there hurts in your life that you need to forgive?  Are their people in your past that wronged you that you need to forgive today?  Is your spiritual life being hindered by unforgiveness?

Lord I pray that you would show us today those places in our heart that need forgiveness.  Reveal to us those who we need to forgive...some might be fresh and on our minds now, but some may have happened years ago, maybe we have forgotten.  Lord I pray you reveal those to use now and I pray that we would have the ability to let it go, to forgive and come closer to You.  Amen!