Forgiving.  Continued: 

  • ​​​​​Forgiveness is an essential ingredient in the Christian life. Jesus Christ provided himself as the perfect example of forgiveness.  Forgiveness is not excusing one's offense,  it is literally absorbing the cost of one's offense.    Jesus Christ literally bore our sins and the consequence of our sin... death.   Thus, while forgiveness can be painful and costly,  it is the ultimate hallmark of Christ-likeness.
  • Forgiveness is in a state of conflict with the pattern of the world. When we listen to the world, forgiveness seems near impossible or unreasonable.  The world is bent on revenge.  Many Christians will not exact genuine forgiveness because they have been cheated in one way or another.  The lack of forgiving, more than anything else, is what stunts the Christian's spiritual growth. Truthfully, most Christians are enslaved to bitterness due to an unforgiving approach to life's relationships.
  • Forgiveness or the lack of forgiveness is a reflection of one's devotion to Christ or self. For one to exact forgiveness to the offender, they must bring every condemning and condescending thought they entertain about the offender into captivity to Christ Jesus and begin to think scripturally about the atoning work of Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:13).

As Christians, our relationship to God makes forgiveness desirable and beneficial.  No one loses with forgiveness.

Sincerely, Dr. Arthur Belanger    

B I B L E

COLLEGE @ HOME

Forgive - You Can't Afford Not To.

One of the most difficult experiences in life is exacting human forgiveness.  Joseph was rejected, kidnapped, enslaved, imprisoned and forgotten.  He experienced the treachery of unfaithfulness by his own family.  Certainly, Joseph wrestled with the pain of human forgiveness.  All of us do.  Why should we forgive one another and how can we do it?

Many believers are unable to forgive others due to their emotional instability caused by the hurt experienced by the offender. Forgiveness is not an emotional act... it is a spiritual act that one commits themselves to in spite of the pain that may even last a life time.  However, human forgiveness requires strength that is beyond human ability.  It requires an understanding of God's role in forgiving each of us (Ephesians 4:32).

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