The Freedom of Forgiveness

It is God's nature to extend mercy. He is so good that He actually stands ready, waiting for us to give Him the opportunity to forgive us. It doesn't matter who you are, where you came from, or what you have done, God's mercy is reaching out to you.

Ps 86:5
For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,
And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.
NKJV

God is really the one who owns mercy and forgiveness. It is in His possession to give or to withhold, therefore He has the right to expect us to give it freely to others. It was His to begin with.

Dan 9:9
To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness
NKJV

The whole purpose and plan of God is to make available to mankind the wonderful gift of His forgiveness. In order to receive that forgiveness, we must first be willing to turn from our old ways of walking in spiritual darkness and walk in His light.

Acts 26:18
to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins
NKJV

To err is human; to forgive, divine.

Alexander Pope

"When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free."

Catherine Ponder

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you."

Lewis B. Smedes

This is a compelling story about a certain man who owed a great debt and was completely freed from his debt by the king's gracious act of mercy. When you read this story, you may feel a little indignation against this man for his actions. After he had been so unselfishly released from debt, he turned around and demanded payment of his fellowman even to the point of violence. Yet we are doing the very same thing when we fail to forgive others.

Matt 18:23-19:1

23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
KJV

FORGIVE FROM YOUR HEART, Not just with your lips, but from your heart. That is one of the ways in which we were created in the image of God. He has given us the ability to not only receive forgiveness, but to bestow it upon others.

God's people are a forgiven people. He has covered ALL our sin through the precious blood of Christ. Not ninety-nine percent, but every last thing. Thank God! Like the old song says "He's done so much for me that I cannot tell it all, He has taken all my sins away."

Ps 85:2
You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people;
You have covered all their sin.
NKJV

How much forgiveness do you need. We can be assured that He will not run out, because it is given according to the riches of His grace. You might go to the Bank of America tomorrow and they say, "Sorry, we don't have enough money for your withdrawal", but the God who holds the world in His hands has plenty enough grace and forgiveness. His supply will never run out.

Eph 1:7-8
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
NKJV