The greatest display of grace is God’s commitment to forgive us for even the worst of our offenses. Forgiveness is the greatest act of graciousness–it is a process by which we commit to no longer holding a wrong against another.
I look back at how God restored my life, my relationships, my health and my place in ministry. It's very obvious that forgiveness was expressed to me in every area of my life.
God forgave me, my wife, my children, my family, my brothers and sisters in the faith, they all forgave me. I got my family restored but it's different than before but the pain we experienced was real.They did not just sprinkle but showered, flooded, over and above amounts of forgiveness to me. Over these 60 plus years of life I know what it’s like to be forgiven and Carolyn knows what it's like to forgive.
You may ask yourself is there any forgiveness left for my situation? Can you be restored to the many things that were lost as a consequence of bad decisions.
The greatest deception in life is to believe that you can sin without any consequences. Adam and Eve believed this lie and it cost them their place in paradise.The good news is that the price of all sins were paid by Jesus Christ at Calvary.The purpose of forgiveness is not designed to get back what sin cost you. In the Bible the scripture of Joel 2:25-32 is to assist you in dealing with that loss while knowing that great things are still available to you in life.
Consider these points when questioning forgiveness:
True forgiveness soothes the pain and calms the fears of having to experience them again if we do what's right. The Bible scripture in John 8:1-11, Jesus forgave a woman that was caught in adultery. He forgave her and told her to go and sin no more!
Forgiveness is two fold in power it releases and it refreshes all involved. It also restores and reconciles broken relationships.
Forgiveness can give someone the strength to go on while taking away the power of from discouragement and an unforgiving heart. Looking for an example for this point, check out 2 Samuel 9 in the Bible of the story of David and Mephibosheth.
True forgiveness releases fresh and new trust that was lost.
So, is there any forgiveness left? Yes!
Because of Jesus sacrifice forgiveness is not only available it's waiting to be served and is necessary. In the Bible the scripture Luke 11:4- Jesus said "And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil". (KJV) As we forgive those who sin against us and lead us not into temptation, that would be the temptation to go back and pick the offense up again.
In the Bible the scripture Psalms 103:12 -"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us" (KJV) Since we know the earth is round, if we start traveling east we will end up in the west. So instead of carrying the weight of unforgiveness, we should be pushing it out of the way so forgiveness can be released and the joy of the Lord experienced.