quote by Wikepedia
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Forgiveness is typically defined as the process of concluding resentment, indignation or anger as a result of a perceived offense, difference or mistake, and ceasing to demand punishment or restitution.
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What is it? It is when Christ who took all the penalty for our sins upon Himself and gave His life as for our punishment and He pardons us and no longer holds us accountable for the sin we committed and casts it into the sea of forgetfulness.
People on the other hand.....can hold grudges against others even when the person who committed the wrong has shown true repentance and done all he/she can to make restitution and to make things right. Some people can't get past the "wrong" they perceived from the act. Whether the act was directly against them or someone else. Too many times Christians don't forgive other Christians who have made grave errors in morality or their lives and hold it against the person forever. I know of a case where a man committed grievous wrong against his wife. He was addicted to pornography and trying to live for God. The man went into a Christian program to seek help and healing. He repented to his wife and those in authority over him. One of the pastors in his life refused to fellowship with him or even correspond with him. Regardless of the fact the man showed true repentance and restitution. I have watched this situation and shake my head in sadness because it hurts both parties. I pray for all parties involved. The young man is truly repentant but the pastor can't get past the "sin".
I believe that if my husband were faced with this same type parishioner he would accept them open arms and not turn them away because he showed true repentance. The young man has turned his back on his sin and wants to live a victorious life. The sad thing is this pastor does this to many who have committed such "grievous sins". But the fact is sin=sin. Gossip....backbiting....unforgiveness = sin too. One sin in God's eyes is not worse than another. He died for ALL our sins. Not just certain types of sin. Nothing can separate us from the wonderful love of God.
God is full of mercy and forgiveness. All have fallen short of HIS glory. Why is it...Christian brothers and sisters can forgive fellow Christians when they are truly repentant. Why is it Christian pastors turn away people from their churches when they have committed such sins instead of taking them in, loving them to repentance and walking them through recovery.
Too many times....the church shoots it's own wounded instead of discipling the hurting and helping them cope with the aftermath of sin they have committed or been victimized by. It is time...the church of the Lord Jesus Christ walks and lives in forgiveness and stops judging one another. It is time denominations ceased to matter and that the blood of Jesus that links us as brothers and sisters in Christ unites us to win a lost world for HIM.
I pray that I can live, breath, walk and talk His LOVE.....His forgiveness and that I never turn away someone searching for a way out of the sin that so easily besets us.
Jesus FORGIVES! He is LOVE........
