In Part I, we examined the forgiveness problem and its affect. We saw that the issue is not the other person or persons. The issue is our own freedom and liberty.It is about us being free.
The reason unforgiveness is a big problem is because it creates a place in our hearts where God is not allowed to dwell.
Now we address answers that set us free.
Why Must I Forgive?
In religious circles, the discussion generally goes this way: “you have to forgive”. Unfortunately, the follow up to that is “you have to do it or else God doesn’t like you”. The scripture says:
Matthew 6:14, 15: For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
The problem with religion, it takes one scripture and makes doctrine. Doctrine that is of God’s truth says the truth is a consistent path from Genesis to The Revelation.
Malachi 3:6: For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore, ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
In order to know God and know the truth requires an examination of the entire bible and the bible’s perspective and directions.
First, let’s study the Matthew 6:14,15 scripture passage. The key word is “will”. “Your heavenly Father will also…”. So the word is stating that the Father is willing. So the issue is whether we are willing.
Second, the Lord doesn’t change. That means that everything that He is, the way He sees things, and the way He does things never changes.
So why does the scripture say “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”?
There is a reason:
Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Romans 4:16 – Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed;
You see the Father can’t do anything apart from your faith. Why? It is because grace doesn’t connect to persons. Grace can only connect to faith. This is because grace is exclusively the work of God and not the work of the person. We can only receive it. We can only receive it, by believing it. So in this instance, unforgiveness is an act void of faith. Therefore, God’s hands are tied and we did the tying.
So now, we look to see how to receive grace. Grace is God’s ability to set you free and empower you because of who He is and not who you are. Grace is God’s power because of the work of Jesus Christ and not because of what you do.
The Way Forward
At this point, let me ask you a question. How did you get “saved”? Think about it. If you take a really good look at it, you will realize is that you actually didn’t do much.
Romans 10:10 – For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
So everyone one of us did something similar to this: “Lord I receive you as the savior of my life”. That’s it. Period. Then boom, grace entered in. The transformation began.
One of the biggest issues that makes the Christian life a struggle for many is when we try to receive grace by the “sweat of our brow”. This is, and never was, God’s way to receive from Him.
The Israelites failed because of this. It wasn’t because they failed to “follow the Ten Commandments” (watch for the study “Do I Have to Follow the Ten Commandments?” coming soon). It was because they did not operate in faith. The ten commandments were never intended to be a “do and don’t do list”. They were meant to show you when you were not operating in faith.
Hebrews 3:19 – So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
So there it is. Unbelief. Unbelief is believing something other than what God has said.
The Answer
So here it is. We receive grace by faith. All we have to do is believe God:
“Lord, your word says I must forgive. You would never tell me that without me being capable. And you would not say I’m capable if you had not given me the power”.
“In the Name of Jesus, by faith in your word alone, I forgive”.
That’s it. You can even take it one step further:
“In the Name of Jesus, by faith in your word alone, I forgive (enter the name(s)) for (enter the act that needs to be forgiven).”.
When will I be Free?
Believe it or not, that is up to you. You may have to say “In the Name of Jesus, by faith, I forgive” a hundred times a day at first. The issue is receiving the grace of God to set you free. It is also a question of the amount of injury and trauma. However, it is on us to exercise faith to receive the grace. So receive your liberty. Make your confession of faith. Receive Grace. Be free.
