It's Stupid to Attempt Forgiveness Without Asking for God's Grace
I really hate to admit it but forgiveness is a subject that's very difficult to talk about - not especially if anyone is rooted in their pride. How many times do we see people ruin each other because of their selfish pride? How often is the law taken into the hands of people because they think that they'll feel better if they take matters into their own hands? It's again rooted in pride. It's really something when you realize that forgiveness is difficult because of a matter of pride. Then, this pride can go as far as not to ask God for the grace to forgive others.
Let's examine the Lord's prayer (Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-4). You can see the very phrase, "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." Why do you think the sample prayer included the phrase to forgive us our sins and as we forgive those who sin against us? This is asking God for the grace to forgive someone. The more I try to forgive based on my own strength - the more I realize that I just can't. It's because the old me wants to have revenge and is rooted in avenging my pride. How can I rely on myself who has been long-tainted with unforgiveness and thoughts on revenge in contrast to God who saved me? It's foolishness to think that God would save the person and leave them on their own. Are you saved? Then you have the power to overcome sin only by God's grace. Don't rely on yourself or just be ready to be disappointed.
Let's take a look at the New Testament in Acts 7:59-60. Stephen became the first New Testament martyr. He prayed to God not to lay the sin against his executors. Notice that Stephen doesn't pray, "Lord, I lay not this sin against them." but "Lay not this sin against them." Trying to have genuine forgiveness for enemies without God's grace is foolishness. Do you think Stephen could have not held a grudge if it wasn't for the grace of God? If it wasn't for the grace of God then he won't be able to do what he did in his final moments.
It's all about taking it up to God. Have a grudge against someone? Take it up to God because He's the only one who can forgive at a judicial level. Ask God to forgive the person if you find yourself having a hard time to do so. God will give the strength and courage to forgive to those who lack it but want it from Him. Jesus gave the best example by not retaliating when He allowed every last insult to hurt Him on Good Friday. He did what He did because of His total commitment to the will of God. A Christian can't have that outside the grace of God. I found it amazing I was able to forgive more enemies and it's not myself. Ephesians 2:8-10 says it's not of myself. My forgiving more and more of my enemies is only because I ask God for that courage. Why it took me long to forgive was because I relied on my own selfish self that knows nothing but to desire revenge.
See also:
Let's examine the Lord's prayer (Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-4). You can see the very phrase, "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." Why do you think the sample prayer included the phrase to forgive us our sins and as we forgive those who sin against us? This is asking God for the grace to forgive someone. The more I try to forgive based on my own strength - the more I realize that I just can't. It's because the old me wants to have revenge and is rooted in avenging my pride. How can I rely on myself who has been long-tainted with unforgiveness and thoughts on revenge in contrast to God who saved me? It's foolishness to think that God would save the person and leave them on their own. Are you saved? Then you have the power to overcome sin only by God's grace. Don't rely on yourself or just be ready to be disappointed.
Let's take a look at the New Testament in Acts 7:59-60. Stephen became the first New Testament martyr. He prayed to God not to lay the sin against his executors. Notice that Stephen doesn't pray, "Lord, I lay not this sin against them." but "Lay not this sin against them." Trying to have genuine forgiveness for enemies without God's grace is foolishness. Do you think Stephen could have not held a grudge if it wasn't for the grace of God? If it wasn't for the grace of God then he won't be able to do what he did in his final moments.
It's all about taking it up to God. Have a grudge against someone? Take it up to God because He's the only one who can forgive at a judicial level. Ask God to forgive the person if you find yourself having a hard time to do so. God will give the strength and courage to forgive to those who lack it but want it from Him. Jesus gave the best example by not retaliating when He allowed every last insult to hurt Him on Good Friday. He did what He did because of His total commitment to the will of God. A Christian can't have that outside the grace of God. I found it amazing I was able to forgive more enemies and it's not myself. Ephesians 2:8-10 says it's not of myself. My forgiving more and more of my enemies is only because I ask God for that courage. Why it took me long to forgive was because I relied on my own selfish self that knows nothing but to desire revenge.
See also:
- Accepting Persecution is Part of Christian Life
- An Unforgiving Heart is Often Linked to Pride
- Bible Page Fused to Steel From 9/11 Says...
- Christianity Has NEVER Been About Having Your Best Life Now!
- Christians Can Be So Full of Yesterday's Junk
- Continue the Reformation, Expect Only Persecution!
- Continuing the Reformation Also Includes Loving Your Enemies
- Continuing the Reformation Means Taking the Risk to Get the Gospel Out!
- Crucifixion and Stoning Didn't Stop the Early Christians From Loving Their Enemies
- Dear Christian, It's Foolish to Expect Yourself to Be Treated Better Than Jesus Christ
- Does Forgiveness Mean Condoning Wrong Actions and Having Fellowship with Sinful Men?
- Part of Continuing the Reformation is Sorrow For the Lost
- Why Does God Forbid Humans to Enact Vengeance for Offenses Done Against Them?