You’re Pardoned!

Posted on May 3, 2018 by America's Keswick in Victory Call

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32

Imagine, for a moment, that somebody you love and trust (or even somebody you hardly know) sins against you and hurts you. Maybe they gossiped about you, maybe they insulted you, maybe they betrayed you. How would you feel? You would understandably be super upset and you would probably find it hard to trust that person again. However, whether they came to you with an apology or not, you would know that you’re supposed to pardon them. To your friends, family, and even to that individual, you might say “all is forgiven,” but you know that those are just words coming out of your mouth. Imagine if, deep in the pit of your stomach, you had this grumbling, angry feeling because you were still holding a grudge. You haven’t really forgiven that person.

Does this situation sound familiar? It sure does to me.

Forgiveness isn’t an easy task. It might be one of the hardest things to do, actually, because there’s nothing that hurts your heart quite like being sinned against. It can really mess with your emotions. So, that being said, I can only imagine how much it hurts the Lord when I sin against Him… because I mess up constantly. It’s amazing to me how quick He is to forgive, and it really convicts me as well. When I think about how I want the forgiveness of God (The HOLY of HOLIES) for my resume of sins against Him, but I don’t always willingly extend that same forgiveness to those who hurt me, it makes me realize what a hypocrite I can be.

Matthew 6:14-15 says “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Matthew 18:21-22 says “Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.”

Are you struggling with forgiving someone today? Try thinking about all the sins the Lord has forgiven you for. Also remember, remaining in a state of unforgiveness only hurts you! It keeps you in a prison, so let yourself be set free!

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. Her favorite activities include reading her Bible, encouraging others with scripture, buying new makeup, buying dresses, and eating at the Cheesecake Factory… In that order!