The Bible compares forgiveness to a debt (Matt. 18:23-35). Just suppose someone owes you ten thousand dollars and you have a legal contract. One day you decide to release them of this debt and you shred that contract and they now owe you nothing. You don’t have to feel wonderful about it and you don’t even have to like them. Irrespective of your feelings, it’s a done deal. This is how we must learn to forgive and always remember that Jesus paid our debt and it was a debt we could never repay.

Forgiveness is not an option according to Jesus, it is required if we want to be forgiven ourselves. According to Jesus forgiveness should be an everyday occurrence and a part of our Christian lifestyle (Matt.18:21-22).

Forgiveness is an act of faith and love and it’s a choice we make. The just shall live by faith. That’s how we live, that’s how we receive and that’s how we overcome. We live by faith on what the Word says and in the process we are guarding our hearts and lettings the springs of life flow freely with no hindrances (Proverbs 4:23).
Our emotions will change and eventually line up with our choice to forgive if we hold on long enough. You can choose to forgive or you can struggle with this for the rest of your life.
When you’re ready to forgive the person, say their name out loud and say you forgive them for – then fill in the blank. Whenever the accuser of the brethren comes to harass you, say out loud that you have forgiven so and so in the name of Jesus Christ. Repeat this as often as you need to and work the process and be patient. It will get easier and easier once you see the benefits (11 Corth. 2:10-11)

The following is a quick test to gauge forgiveness in your heart. You know you’re emotions have lined up with your choice to forgive when…

FIRST THOUGHT TEST
You think of the person on purpose and your first thought is a thought of peace and of good towards them (Phil 4:8, 11 Corth 3:5).

OPPORTUNITY TO HELP THEM TEST
You have an opportunity to help the person and you don’t hesitate to do so (Mark 12: 30-31).

GENERAL THOUGHT TEST
The person pops into your head and your thought is a positive one (Phil 4:8, 11 Corth. 10:5).

REVENGE TEST
You don’t have any thoughts of seeking revenge. (Luke 6:37, 11 Corth. 10:3).

FAILURE TEST
You don’t wish them to fail in their endeavors (1 Corth. 13:6).

KEEPING RECORD OF WRONG TEST
You’ve stopped keeping a record of their wrongs (1 Corth.13:5).

It’s also very important to receive forgiveness for ourselves. We must first repent of our wrong and receive forgiveness from the Lord Jesus and then we forgive ourselves. We should do what you can to fix the wrong and ask the Lord for help and strength, so there is no next time (Phil 4:13, Jeremiah 29:11).

Forgiveness doesn’t mean that we have to let that person back in our lives if she or he has violated us and there is a good possibility that it might happen again, Jesus didn’t say that you become a door mat once you’ve forgiven. Once the person has been forgiven, that person has to regain your trust, you don’t have to give it automatically. Setting up good boundaries in our lives is always beneficial.

Forgiveness is the Lord’s way, a gift we give ourselves and others and it brings healing to our soul (Ephesians 4:1-3).

Carmen Desilets servant of the living God.

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

In the last days there is going to be alot of opportunities to be fearful when the Lord calls us to go and do His bidding. However, He also tells us that we are not alone and that He is with us wherever we go, in particular when He calls us.

When we are doing the work of the Lord, no matter where it is, we can count on His Word. We have confidence and trust that wherever He sends us, He will be with us. So many people are afraid that the Lord is going to call them to Africa, India or other parts of the world that seem so scary to them, but when we are doing His will He will protect us. There is a reason that He commands us to be strong and of good courage and to BE NOT AFRAID and that reason is because He knows that our fleshly nature is to be fearful. Jesus is our example of being strong and very courageous. He went to the cross and endured torture for us. He prayed to the Father the night before His torture began to prepare Himself for what was to come. He could have said ‘No’, but His focus was on doing the Fathers will and not His own. The Lord knows the beginning from the end and He knows where He is sending you and He already knows the end result. When we trust in Him we need not fear because He is with us!

When we get out of our flesh and allow our spirit to be in command we will be able to say we are well able to do all that the Lord has commanded us to do. Joshua and Caleb were not fearful when they said we are well able to take the land. When others saw themselves as grasshoppers they saw themselves as strong and courageous. We have to identify with Christ and realize that we can do all thing through Christ who strengthens us and put fear behind us.

Being called into the mission field can be both terrifying and exhilarating. The terrifying part is the unknown – not knowing what to expect when you go. The exhilarating part is the excitement of taking the gospel message to the nations, teaching the Word, encouraging people and most important of all – doing the Fathers will!

By: Deborah Johnston, Associate Minister