The Meaning of Forgiveness and My conversation with God
by Lydia Najera(34)What is the true meaning of the word forgiveness? The dictionary defines it this way: To excuse a fault or offense.
In Colossians 3:13 it says, " Forbearing one another and forgiving one another if any man has a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. "
I was working on another project when all of a sudden the Lord said to me, " Forgiveness " . I thought yes! What does that mean to me? Next He said, " Have you truly forgiven your Debtor and the one that has caused you pain? " " Yes, Lord, I have " , I answered. He came back with, " Then why are you in so much pain and uncomfortable with your own father? " He also told me that I need to forgive him for all that he has done to me, and give it to Him so that I can work on his heart. " But I have forgiven my father for the things of the past " , I said. " If you are finding fault with him at every turn he takes, you have not fully forgiven him. "
This is the reason why I am writing this article today. Not only for you, but to remind myself that if I say I am a true follower of Christ, I need to do and be what I say I am. I need to lead by example, not only by my words.
Ephesians 4:32 - " And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. "
The only one that I know that is really good at forgiving is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So, if our Lord can forgive us all of our sins even at death what makes me so different? Yes, I have been through a lot of pain and suffering, but still it is nothing like what Jesus had to go through so that we could be saved. I want to be just like Jesus and follow His example.
I recently learned that one of the 12 disciples of Jesus would help himself to the money he was put in charge of. Jesus knew it and still kept him as a disciple and showed him love.
Matthew 6:14-15 - " But 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. "
I say this prayer to our Lord and Savior:
Please help me to walk in your footsteps and do as you did when you walked on the earth. Help me to be humbled when I am wrong. Also, give grace to those who need it. Lord help me be aware of all I am not forgiving and help me to forgive those who I am unable to forgive, so that I may glorify your name and do your will. You you are God and I am not. If you can do this on the cross, I can do it in for names sake.
Love in Christ
Lydia L. Najera
Article submitted Friday, April 09, 2010 & read 170 times.
Leave Your Comments:
» left by Teresa(1,492)(152 days 20 hours ago.)
Lydia, thank you for sharing this, it is so true that we haven't truly forgiven if we are angry or everything comes to the forefront of our minds the minute that person says boo! Good lesson the Lord gave you, one that we all need, so I thank you again for sharing your heart and your journey as a new believer- you are growing and it is a blessing to watch. Love ya! TeresaRespond to this comment
» left by Efoghor Joseph Ezie from Bonny Island, Nigeria (147 days 2 hours ago.)
We most times think we have forgiven somebody but still bear pains in our hearts. To truly forgive is to let go of all pains and past bitter memories.Respond to this comment