SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1047

“Forgive”

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15)

We have several mature cedar trees on our property. Their branches grow low to the ground and provide an effective screen of the road and adjacent properties. Unfortunately they also hide weeds that grow up inside the canopy and threaten to kill the tree. Our solution was to hem the skirt of the tree allowing us to see and remove weeds as they begin to take root near the trunk. As we tugged and pulled to remove a thorny vine that had embedded itself in the tree I was reminded that this weed is similar to the root of bitterness and unforgiveness that takes hold in our lives if we allow it. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Hebrews 12:15; Ephesians 4:31-32)

Have you ever wronged someone who would not forgive you no matter how many times you repented and sought reconciliation? Have you ever felt the bondage of pridefulness keeping you from asking for forgiveness? Perhaps you have struggled with the false satisfaction of vengeance gained through unforgiveness. ‘I’ll make them crawl and beg before I forgive them’, you may have thought. Have you ever half-heartedly forgiven someone only to flog him or her with the memory of their infraction at a later time, perhaps even years later?

Unforgiveness – your inability to truly forgive is a major stumbling block in your Christian walk and a serious hindrance to your effectual prayer. Your prayers of intercession for your spouse, children, church, business and coworkers are hindered when you harbor unforgiveness in your heart. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. (1 John 2:9) The word translated ‘hate’ in this Scripture verse carries the meaning of ‘loving less’ which we would have a lack of love for someone for whom we harbor bitterness and unforgiveness.

It is through the indwelling power of Jesus Christ that we are able to forgive. When we choose to harbor unforgiveness we choose to break our identity with Jesus and walk down a cold and dangerous path. Jesus taught us that if we do not forgive, neither would we be forgiven. This is a sobering thought that should give even the most bitter of hearts pause.

It has been said that bitterness is the cup of poison that we drink hoping that the other person dies. Do you value your choice to harbor bitterness, vengeance, and unforgiveness over a close relationship with Jesus Christ? Is it more important to you than effective prayer? Is bitterness more valuable to you than your own personal forgiveness from God?

Pray and reflect on the relationships in your life and ask God to reveal to you any areas of unforgiveness that you are harboring. Forgive and be forgiven and enjoy freedom from the bondage and malignancy of bitterness that stems from unforgiveness. Forgive and be forgiven and enjoy the peace and joy of Jesus Christ. …as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:12-14)