My entire life I never struggled with forgiving people as I do now. Perhaps because I have only now just come across the path of some of the most wicked people I have ever met. And for good reason.
God had a plan, to teach me how to forgive the most unforgiveable of people on the planet, people who have done such evil against me that I was shocked when it happened. I was not deserving of this evil against me, but I know in my heart that it was not done against me so much as it was a sign of hatred against what I believe, of what I stand for. That is, Jesus Christ.
God’s Word says that “ye shall be hated by all men for my name’s sake.” (Mark 13:13; Matthew 10:22; Luke 21:17 KJV) How true that statement is.
Considering what is about to happen upon the Earth, it is no wonder that the Lord brought this topic to mind. God has instructed me to teach the nations what they should know. Forgiveness is a major area of concern. Because unforgiveness retards spiritual growth and can bring about severe repercussions as well.
In the future, God’s people and entire nations will come up against the most evil of His enemies: AntiChrist and his supporters. Unspeakable atrocities are about to occur that will tempt even the most devout of God’s believers to fall away from the faith.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. So long as we understand what is happening…and why.
PREPARE YOUR HEARTS FOR THE COMING TRIBULATION
I have already taken steps to forgive those who will do evil against me in future. Before I even meet them. I have no desire to test God in this matter. Love and forgiveness of our enemies is key to our standing firm for Christ during the coming Tribulation.
If there is a pre-Tribulation rapture as many believe, then that would be great. But as I have stated, I do not believe there will be such a thing. There will be a rapture, but not until later, I believe, when the seventh trumpet of God sounds. (Matthew 24:31)
At any rate, people must learn now how to forgive with all of their hearts, minds, and souls.
And controlling one’s thoughts and emotions is key to forgiving.
God has warned me repeatedly not to hold grudges. He knew in advance how many would do evil against me and hurt me. He put me through the most trying episode of my life recently…and all for one reason.
To teach me to forgive wholeheartedly so that I may share His Truth with the world on this matter.
FORGIVENESS IS A CHOICE
Yes, it is true that forgiveness is a choice we must make. We choose to forgive or to hold grudges and hate the one who has wronged us. But what is not often taught is that the most effective, most powerful way to forgive is to take control of our thoughts, because the enemy uses one’s mind as his battleground. Evil, hate-filled thoughts of vengeance and vindictiveness or even murder take root in a person’s brain when they have been wronged. This is due to our carnal spirits. If a person nurses those evil thoughts and eventually acts upon them, then he is committing a terrible sin. And we must all remember that if we choose not to forgive, then God will not forgive us of our sins.
A person can be a famous evangelist, preacher, a local minister of the Truth of Jesus Christ – anyone. He/she may be considered the most wonderful person alive. The person himself may believe he/she has done everything right, for the glory of God, when in fact, he/she may still go to hell when he/she dies.
THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES FOR OUR DISOBEDIENCE
The Truth is: You must forgive anyone who has done evil against you, or you may go to hell, regardless of what you believe you deserve. Because God will not forget or forgive your sins if you do not forgive, as He has commanded us to.
Learn to control your thoughts and your emotions. Self-control is from the Holy Spirit of God. Ask Him to help you to forgive as Jesus Christ forgives us of our sins and iniquities, readily and sincerely. If you do not, you may very well find yourself a citizen of hell in the end, and not be where you expected to find yourself. This is so important for you to understand.
I believe that one of the most important Scriptural verses to help us learn to control our thoughts is found below:
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
“Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard and seen in Me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” (Philippians 4:7-9 KJV)
CONTROLLING OUR THOUGHTS IS THE KEY
Controlling our thoughts is indeed the key to forgiving others.
If you allow the enemy to entertain thoughts in your mind every time you see a certain person, allowing him to stir up every negative thought or emotion you ever had towards that person, it is then you must take control and nip things in the bud, so to speak.
Take control over these evil thoughts and put Philippians 4:8 into immediate play. Only then can you be truly victorious over the enemy and free yourself from his every attempt to stir you to hatred or unforgiveness in your heart.
The minute you begin to nurse your vengeful, evil thoughts or actually begin to act upon them, then you are walking into dangerous territory. Your choice to hang onto such thoughts or negative emotions and to act upon them may very well lead you straight into hell. It may also bring about repercussions from that person or others who may wish to retaliate in kind against you. It is better to forgive, forget, and move on with your life, than to let the one who has wronged you control you forever.
So in true obedience to God take authority over every evil thought, word, or emotion that tempts you to sin. In Jesus’ name. And release unto Him those things so that you may have peace in your hearts and are able to move forward, toward spiritual growth. So that He may bless you with all the wonderful things He has in store for you.
You will be glad, in the end, that you did.
“Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near:
“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7 KJV)
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:34-35 KJV)
Refer also to:
Matthew 6:14
1 Corinthian 13:4-7
2 Corinthian 2:5-8
Galatians 6:1-2
Ephesians 4:31-32
For more information:
http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-forgiveness-20-encouraging-scripture-quotes/
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/1John/Fundamental-Command-Love-One
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/forgiveness/MH00131/
http://christianity.about.com/od/whatdoesthebiblesay/a/bibleforgivenes.htm
http://www.pbs.org/programs/forgiveness/
http://thinkexist.com/quotations/forgiveness/
http://www.cynet.com/Jesus/prophecy/trumpets.htm
http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/songs-about-forgiveness-top-10/