Keep No Record of Wrongs

Posted on October 10, 2016 by Graeme Wilson in Victory Call

We’re going to get a bit interactive today; I have a challenge for you. Read the following sentences, and think about if a specific person or group of people come to mind.
“I cannot believe what he/she did to me!”
“How could they treat me like that?”
“I still haven’t forgotten, even after all this time!”
“I’m still so angry at him/her!”
“They seriously need to change.”
“I’m done with them.”
Did someone (or some group) come to mind?
Now I have a tougher challenge…
Forgive them.
Forgiveness – it’s something that we all know we should do, but how often do we actually do it? If you’re still holding a grudge, you’re still holding onto unforgiveness in your heart.
There are so many Bible verses about forgiving others, but I’ll just list a couple and paraphrase:
1)    Matthew 6:14-15 – The Lord is saying that if you forgive, you will be forgiven and if you do not forgive, you will not be forgiven.
2)    Matthew 18: 21-22 – In these verses, Jesus told Peter to forgive others “seventy times seven times.” He did not say this to limit the amount of times we forgive, but to enforce that we should continue to forgive through the Spirit of God living within us (GotQuestions.org).
If we look at the story of Joseph, we will see he went through the ringer. Because of the jealousy of his brothers, he was sold for slavery, jailed, and received awful treatment. Once he was the ruler of Egypt and his brothers came for goods, Joseph had the power to punish them or forgive them, and chose forgiveness.
An even better example would be Jesus Christ Himself. If He forgives us for all of our countless sins, shouldn’t we be the first to forgive others? Even as He was dying on the cross, He cried out “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
There is power in forgiveness, and forgiveness sets us free. So, if a person popped in your mind in the beginning of this Victory Call, maybe it’s time to get quiet with God, search your heart, and choose forgiveness.
Erin
Erin Culleny serves as a Marketing Assistant and Staff Writer. She loves encouraging women through her Victory Calls and finds such joy in praying for her sisters in Christ. She is so excited that after 5 years on Summer Staff, she now has the opportunity to serve at Keswick year-round. Her favorite activities include reading her Bible, encouraging others with scripture, buying new dresses, and eating at the Cheesecake Factory… In that order!