Forgive…

Forgiveness is not an option in Christianity, it’s a command. Forgiveness is the top in theChristians pyramid of Godliness. No one could be a Christian if forgiveness wasn’t real. Your status as one of Christ’s is based on the forgiveness of Christ. When we have been forgiven so much by God, why do we find it hard to forgive others when they wrong us? The answer to that question is pride. Self-glory, self-ego, self-protection are all forms of pride that hinder people from letting go of an offense. True forgiveness is not dwelling in the pride that says “my ego was wounded.” True forgiveness sets aside the poor me attitude and embraces the sovereign God attitude. Perhaps no one said it better than Joseph, who after being sold into slavery by his brothers ends up in prison for many years. When Joseph rises to power in Egypt and his brothers stand before him in need he says, “Do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life” (Genesis 45:5). Joseph also said, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” (Genesis 50:20) Like Joseph, get your prideful self out of the way. Get your eyes off of self and onto sovereign God. The spiritual fruit that forms from forgiveness will be a blessing to many.