Set Free

Set Free

Focus Word - Forgiveness
Focus Verse - Ephesians 4 :32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Mercy opens the way for supernatural peace. The greatest inner struggle that people face on Earth would be to forgive others, because everyday we get hurt multiple times - due to other’s words, attitude, behavior, betrayal, etc. The deepest wounds are from those you love and trust the most.

1. Forgiveness flows from God’s mercy towards us. Forgiveness is not based on how people treat us; but on how Christ has treated us. We forgive because we were forgiven (and not by considering whether the other person deserves forgiveness).

Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

2. Unforgiveness blocks spiritual freedom.              Unforgiveness keeps the heart bound, not the offender. Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.

Matthew 6:14,15 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

3. Forgiveness is a command; not a feeling.
 Forgiveness is an act of obedience before it becomes an emotion.

Mark 11:25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Luke 17:3,4 So watch yourselves. "If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying 'I repent,' you must forgive them."

4. Forgiveness releases healing and restoration. Unforgiveness is a hindrance to healing.

James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

Forgiveness cleans the soul - though the process of cleaning a wound with a disinfectant is painful, healing begins immediately.

5. Forgiveness reflects Christ’s nature.
Luke 23:34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Forgiveness is not weakness; it is divine strength.  To err is human, to forgive is divine.

6. Forgiveness brings victory over Satan.
2 Corinthians 2:10,11 Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

Unforgiveness gives Satan a foothold, whereas forgiveness shuts the door.  

Declaration - I release forgiveness freely today.