The Flow of forgiveness is always downward! The forgiven MUST forgive. Look at the scripture above. It seems too easy to read past the first line...do not GRIEVE the Holy Spirit of God! Think about that. We as believers are so connected and so loved by God that it is possible for our actions to “grieve” Him. I am somewhat acquainted with grief. It is a dark, heavy, empty hurt, it is a breaking of the heart. What is it that Christians can do that actually “upset” God’s Spirit. I believe, clearly, that our action of unforgiveness grieves the Heart of God! Bitter, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking and malice.

These things are to be put away from believers. We are to forgive...period. Those of us who have been forgiven, must forgive. Forgiveness is like God and the scripture says for us to be “imitators of God”. God’s way is being kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. There is a FOUNDATION of forgiveness. The Blood is for forgiveness. From Adam to Jesus, the shed blood of animals was offered to “cover” the stain of man’s sin. But now, in Christ, sins stain is not just covered, it is removed! It is cleansed, it is forgiven.

There is also a FORMULA for forgiveness. We are to forgive others “AS” He forgave us … that's the way we must forgive...it's the only way we can. We will then be forgiven AS WE forgive others! This is the clear teaching from the model prayer or what we often term as the Lord’s Prayer. We are to forgive as He forgave and what we are asking in the prayer is to be forgiven by Him “AS” we forgive others.

Unconditional-without consideration for magnitude. What conditions, what high standards are given for forgiveness!  Think about this...Unforgiveness closes heaven!

"For if you will not forgive...neither will your heavenly Father forgive you." Think about it! Years of unforgiveness is giant playing field for Satan. In this formula for forgiveness...Unforgiveness = torment.

A wise man will see that the way he handles his past will determine much of his future. Think of the FORSIGHT of forgiveness. You can “hold on” to unforgiveness, you can keep your debtor in prison, but you can only be free when you choose to release your debtor. Forgiveness is the 

most Christ-like deed that we do! Likewise, unforgiveness is the most costly deed we  do (II Cor 2:10,11) Remember, unforgiveness = torment.

We must always forgive. Peter questioned Jesus about how often we should forgive. FREQUENCY of forgiveness has no limits. 70 times 70...as often as forgiveness is required. It is never OK not to forgive. What if there was a limit on how often we could be forgiven.   We must forgive AS He forgives and as often as He forgives. The option is crippling bondage

There is great FREEDOM in forgiveness. It absolutely breaks the bonds of torment (Matt 18:23-35. Please read this scripture. God forgave a debt we could not pay, how can we hold someone on our own level in bondage thru unforgiveness. It carries the strongest penalty and it closes heaven to us. It grants demons access to a believers life.

What are the FACTS of forgiveness? First of all when you forgive someone you are not saying that the transgression is ok. It is not agreement with the deed. The FACT is the deed will always be wrong, but you have chosen to release the person from the consequences of the damage done to you. It is wishing no harm or revenge, or evil to that person but wanting God to love them just as He loves you.

A few years ago at a meeting in Magnolia, TX a woman came for prayer at the altar call. She came and said she was tormented with unforgiveness. She was a very large woman and took a seat on the inside front row as I talked with her. “I can’t forgive my mom” she said. Her grown family and some of their children gathered and circled behind where she sat. I talked with her and explained that she must forgive in order for her to be free. “If I forgive” she said, “She wins.”

“Oh no, no. When you forgive you win.” She insisted that she could not forgive her. I urged her to just simply say the words after me. “I chose to forgive my mom”. She struggled and thru a mumble, she spoke, “I chose to forgive...my mom.” When she did, her entire family fell to the ground behind her! I have never seen anything like that. When she chose to forgive, she broke the chains that had even her family bound with curse. Wow!

The Bible says that there is a FRAGRANCE of forgiveness, a sweet smelling savor to God! We can grieve His Spirit, or we can release a fragrance that blesses God. 

Forgiveness must be the act that that most pleases God. It will bless or curse a church!

Forgiveness is better than mercy, it is the product of grace. It is guilt without consequences. It is to God a sweet smelling aroma.

Don’t be so easily offended that you cause someone else to be wounded. Turn it loose, let it go, let the offender out of prison. Be the encourager! Be bigger than the “offense” be an imitator of God. Forgive, show kindness and tenderhearted- ness, it’s an a spiritual aroma that  God likes!

Thank you so much for your special prayer over the past few months. The death of my wife has been the most difficult thing I have faced in life. I am very grateful for your prayers!

Just for Jesus,

Don