Forgive and Forget

What it means to Forgive and Overlook

Forgiveness is a responsive decision of the thoughts and heart to freely remit the offense of any other, irrespective of the cost. Unfortunately, a lot of us have problem forgiving others because we confuse forgiveness with what are not. For instance:

1.       Forgiveness is not excusing the wrong behaviour of others. Excusing says, “that’s ok,” and appears to indicate that what a person did wasn’t truly incorrect or that he or she couldn’t help it. However forgiveness is not excusing or justifying the wrong conduct of a person. On the opposite, the very nature of forgiveness shows that what someone did changed into incorrect and inexcusable. Protecting up sin (that's what excusing is) cannot result in forgiveness. The bible says, “he that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (proverbs 28:13). Authentic forgiveness in reality acknowledges that what a person did to us is inaccurate, however chooses, by the grace of God, to let pass.

2.        Forgiveness isn't weakness. Now and again, we suppose that once we forgive others it is a sign of our weak point or cowardice. And who desires to be perceived as a smooth pushover or a door mat? The reality, but, is that forgiveness is by no means borne out of weak point, however as a substitute from a position of strength and energy.  It takes a person who's strong in endurance and inner energy to forgive. When God chooses to forgive us, it is not because he is powerless. Handiest people with resolute convictions and sterling person can without a doubt forgive. Alternatively, as long as we pick out now not to forgive, we turn out to be the slaves of those who've harm us. Read our previous sermon on "The Power of Forgiveness." to be fully acquitted with the major reason to forgive,

To Forgive – Does It Mean To Forget?

Forgiveness isn't forgetting. Forgetting is to lose the remembrance or recollection of something. It's far a passive technique in which the passing of time causes a component to fade from memory. Forgiving, however, isn't the result of amnesia. Rather, it's miles an energetic technique wherein someone makes a conscious preference now not to say, recount, or consider the harm one has suffered from some other.

When God says he'll “remember your sins no further” (Isaiah 43:25), it does not mean he can't recall our sins, but that he's going to now not remember them. It's far a conscious desire on his part now not to reckon the ones sins towards us nor take action on them. The coolest news, however, is that after we make a conscious decision to forgive and to forestall residing on the offense of others, the Lord works a miracle in us so that the hurt we've got suffered lose their bite – to the degree that the painful recollections fade away.

Forgiveness is not a sense – a fleeting emotional experience. It's far conscious preference, an act of the desire. Forgiveness is a decision not to think, or talk approximately, or be motivated with the aid of the sick-conduct of any other.

“To Forgive” in Greek

There are Greek words that are regularly translated as “forgive.” the primary, Aphiemi, means to permit move, launch, or remit. It's far a term used to describe the full price or cancellation of a debt (Matt 6:12; 18:27, 32). The alternative word is Charizomai, which means that to bestow desire freely or unconditionally. This term suggests that forgiveness is an act of grace. It's far undeserved and can't be earned (Luke 7:42-43; 2 Cor. 2:7-10; Eph. 4:32; Col 3:13). Each term mean that the one doing the forgiving suffers a few loss or ache. That is what happened on calvary while our Lord Jesus Christ chose to go through and die, on the way to secure our forgiveness ( Isaiah 53:4-6; 1 Pet. 1:24-25).

Conclusion

Forgiveness is not a sense-right experience. The choice to let pass certainly hurts. Still one chooses to pay the cost. Even though forgiveness isn't a sense, and although the decision to forgive hurts, the good news is this sentient act of the need to forgive also brings approximately changes in our feelings. We enjoy a certain peace and pleasure for doing God’s will.