Forgive those who trespass against us?

For many Christians, we say the Lord’s Prayer daily or even more often. Jesus gave us this amazing way to pray to God. (See Matthew 6:9-13)

However, verse 12 is not to be taken lightly.

“And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. “

Do we really?

Let’s examine our conscience.
Are you holding a grudge, waiting for the other to make the first move of forgiveness?
Do you harbor hate towards someone who wronged you in the past?
Do you hold onto blame for someone who let you down?

Forgiveness is crucial and is one of the most powerful Christian superhero special powers you possess. It’s like you have a miracle starter kit that you can break out and use at any time.
Most people struggle with forgiveness because they don’t understand their role correctly.  There are actually two jobs involved in the act of forgiving someone.

There is the job you have and then there is God’s job.

Your job is to recognize the transgression and then forgive the person.  That’s it. Your job does not involve making the other say they are sorry or making them change. Your job is to plant the seed of forgiveness and then step back and let God take over.

God uses your seed of forgiveness as an opening to enter the other person’s soul. If the other person is willing, God will bloom your seed into a beautiful transformation where remorse and reconciliation follow.

Most people think forgiving someone is like letting them off the hook. In fact, the true purpose of forgiving someone is to heal your soul. Nothing heals your soul faster when you are wronged like forgiving the object of your hate.

Did you ever notice that the more you hold onto the hate inside your soul, the worse you feel? 

Consider this. Since you are a Christian, you believe the Holy Spirit lives within you. If you put yourself in the shoes of the Holy Spirit, how would you feel to have to share your room inside your soul with all this hate, grudges and feuds you’re holding onto?

Do something nice for the Holy Spirit and heal your soul by forgiving someone today!

You will never regret it.

God Bless!

Jim