Forgive Us as We Forgive

Holding a grudge and choosing not to forgive is like drinking poison and thinking the other person will die.

Forgive Us as We Forgive

"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."

(Matthew 6:12)

While eating dinner with Damon West, author of the bestseller, The Change Agent, he made an insightful comment. He said, "Every addiction is rooted in resentment." There were about a dozen of us having dinner together, and he kept us on the edge of our seats describing what it was like to live seven years in prison. His addiction to meth cost him far more than he could have imagined. I agree with his quote. When someone has a resentment toward another person, one of two things will happen. The first is by far the best choice, and that is the path of forgiveness. The second choice always leads to disastrous consequences, and that is the road of resentment. Resentment will lead to bitterness, unforgiveness, entitlement, and harmful behavior.

In Jesus' powerful Model Prayer, He commands us to pray about forgiveness. He tells us that we are to ask the Father for forgiveness, and we are to forgive others. This one verse packs a powerful spiritual punch. We all stand in need of being forgiven by God. We have all sinned against Him and are guilty. Romans 3:23 states it very clearly: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." But that is not all. We are to extend that same grace of pardon that we have received from God to the one that has offended or hurt us. To not forgive will cost us far more than to forgive. Holding a grudge and choosing not to forgive is like drinking poison and thinking the other person will die.

You may push back and say you could never forgive and forget what has happened to you. Nowhere in the Bible does it say you have to forget what happened to you, but you and I are commanded to forgive. I highly recommend Lysa TerKeurst's excellent book, Forgiving What You Can't Forget. She will provide you much help and encouragement and guide you along the path of healing which is found only in receiving the forgiveness of God and extending that same grace to those who offend you.