Build A Bridge of Forgiveness

“All bitterness, anger and wrath, insult and slander must be removed from you, along with all wickedness. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” (Ephesians 4:31-32-Holman CSB).
C. S. Lewis once said, “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”
Our Lord & Savior taught us to pray saying, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matt. 6:12)….And then two verses later, Jesus continues talking about forgiveness; “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” (Matt. 6:14-15)….It sounds to me as though Jesus is taking forgiveness pretty seriously!
It has been said that life is a continual exercise in forgiveness and that it is an essential step in overcoming tough times….Christ understood the importance of forgiveness, and we need to as well, but sometimes, forgiveness is indeed difficult. When we have been hurt or embarrassed, we have the tendency to strike back and to hurt the ones who have hurt us….But Christ teaches us that forgiveness is GOD’s WAY!!!
MERCY IS AN INTREGAL PART OF GOD’S PLAN FOR OUR LIVES….WE ARE COMMANDED TO WEAVE THE THREAD OF FORGIVENESS INTO THE VERY FABRIC OF OUR LIVES!!!!!
When we hold a grudge & don’t forgive others it takes precious time out of our lives & traps us in a prison of our own creation; in a prison of anger, bitterness, envy, or regret….When we do not forgive others, we allow Satan to interrupt & hurt our testimony & ministry for Jesus!!
As long as we continue to allow an unforgiving spirit to permeate our lives, we cannot, & will not, be effective servants for Jesus Christ or for the mission we have before us; to spread the Gospel to the world!!
Have you made forgiveness a high priority in your life???
If not, then it’s time to finally get serious about forgiveness!!!!!
Stop worrying about the injustices you have suffered & the people who inflicted them, & sincerely ask God to forgive you for your inability to forgive others!!! Build a bridge, get over it & move on!!!
“God expects us to forgive others as He has forgiven us; we are to follow His example by having a forgiving heart.” (Vonette Bright)