The power of forgiveness
Forgiveness is a most powerful key for without forgiveness; we block ourselves from the Kingdom. Seldom do people see the power of this Kingdom Key in its full light. Forgiveness has two sides. Sometimes, we must forgive ourselves and sometimes we must forgive others. Both sides can wreck havoc with our understanding and peace when we are not practicing forgiveness. To enter into the presence of heavenlies, we must forgive our trespasses and the trespasses of others. Matthew 6:12 “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
Matthew 6:14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
We seek to be washed white as snow and pure as wool. Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the Lord, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”
Jesus states to Peter that we should be in a continuous flow of forgiving. Matthew 18:21-22 shares this with us. “Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” 70x7!
We are to readily forgive as we are readily forgiven by Christ. When we stay in the habit of forgiveness, we stay in the flow of the Holy Spirit. I want nothing to block me from the presence of our Lord. We are to readily agree with our adversary, repent, and seek forgiveness. “Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.” Matthew 5:25. Where Matthew 5 speaks here of court matters, it is important to our journey of forgiveness.
Forgiveness is about healing US! It is about our right-standing before our Lord. It is not about the transgressor, or anyone else. It is designed as an act of obedience and a path to peace. When we forgive, many think we are “letting the other person off the hook” so to speak. What we are really doing is letting ourselves off the hook and washing ourselves to be holy and pure before the one true God, who is Holy and Pure.