Who Are We to Withold Grace?

Some pains and hurts keep us stuck in a rut. If we dwell on the past so long rehearsing it over and over in our mind on could of, should of, and would of, how could we possibly move forward in the present and anticipate the future? Letting go of the past pains, hurts, regrets, and disappointments is essential or you can not be in the now. It is very easy to dwell on the past in unforgiveness and wonder what you could of done differently to make things turn out in a more positive light. However when we dwell on the past, unforgiveness and bitterness arises and it causes us to be turned over to the tormentors. Matthew 18:33-35 Shouldn't you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt. That's what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.

We can not enter into heaven in unforgiveness. The sin of unforgiveness puts many people on the path to hell. If God can forgive you for your deepest darkest sins why can’t you forgive others for the smallest things? You repent and ask God to forgive you, but you can’t do the same. The things people don’t want to forgive others for are things they have done themselves. He slandered me I can’t forgive Him. Well have you ever slandered someone before?How about the things you think in your mind towards someone when they make you mad. Evidence of true faith in Christ is that your life and way of thinking will change. We are forgiven much so we must forgive much. Pride is the main reason for people holding grudges. There are no exceptions. Did King Jesus hold a grudge? He had every right to, but He didn’t. Scripture tells us to love and forgive everyone even our enemies. Love does no harm and it overlooks an offense.Love does not keep bringing up old conflicts while trying to hide it behind a joke. When you hold on to things in your heart it creates bitterness and hate. God does stop listening to prayers because of unforgiveness. I know sometimes it is hard, but confess your sins, lose the pride, ask for help, and be forgiving. Don’t go to sleep with anger. Unforgiveness never hurts the other person. It only hurts you. Cry out to God and allow Him to work in you to remove anything harmful that is brewing in your heart. Colossians 3:13 Be tolerant of one another and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, you also should forgive.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Leviticus 19:17-18 Do not bear a grudge against others, but settle your differences with them, so that you will not commit a sin because of them. Do not take revenge on others or continue to hate them, but love your neighbors as you love yourself. I am the Lord.

There are many more verses on forgiveness and the results of not doing so found in God's holy word. He is the answer to all things. Open that precious living word today and grow and know in Jesus. Love you my friends.