Forgiveness How It is Needed Pt-1

God gave this to me in three parts: Pt-1

1. A culture without out forgiveness

2. Why forgiveness came to us in the form of a man.

3. Finally, why do we need to forgive? 

It’s crucial for us to understand that forgiving someone does not come naturally to our human nature. You might find this hard to believe, but that’s precisely why the act of forgiveness often feels so unnatural and challenging. This topic is far more complex than it may initially appear. When I first embarked on this journey of exploring forgiveness, I thought, “How simple can this be?” Little did I know, I was in for a profound lesson—one that elicited a chuckle from God, as I quickly realized this was anything but straightforward.

As we delve into the Scriptures, you will come to understand why my initial confidence was naive. At the heart of our struggle to forgive lies our intrinsic inclination toward revenge rather than mercy. It takes a deep, genuine hunger for a divine connection to even consider such a challenging request; thus, I want to commend those who possess the courage to seek forgiveness for themselves and others.

I aim to illuminate where the concept of forgiveness was intended to begin according to the Word of God but, unfortunately, fell short. The turn of events that unfolded instead of grace and forgiveness is astonishing and thought-provoking. Prepare to be surprised as we explore these biblical narratives together and uncover the deeper truths about the nature of forgiveness and our response to wrongdoing.

I want to take a moment to share something that’s very important to me. The key to accessing the beauty and promise of heaven lies through Jesus Christ. However, it’s equally essential to recognize that within Him, we also find the profound gift of forgiveness. Without our Lord and Savior, it can be incredibly challenging to cultivate a genuine desire to forgive others, as He embodies truth, life, and the way. Jesus teaches us that no one can reach the Father or experience the fullness of His love and grace except through Him. It is through a relationship with Jesus that we are inspired to forgive, reflecting the mercy we have received in our own lives.

Genesis 4:3-8

In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of uthe fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of vthe firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord whad regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but xfor Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 yIf you do well, will you not be accepted?2 And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. zIts desire is for3 you, but you must rule over it.” 8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother.4 And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and akilled him.

In this passage, we can see a profound lesson about the destructive nature of envy and its potential consequences. God illustrates how unchecked envy can consume an individual if they fails to recognize it for what it truly is. It’s essential to repent and seek forgiveness for these harmful feelings, as allowing them to fester can lead to serious sin. 

In this case, Cain experienced envy that gradually morphed into jealousy. Instead of acknowledging and confronting these feelings, he chose to ignore them, which ultimately gave life to his sin. This pivotal moment highlights the importance of self-awareness and the need to address negative emotions before they spiral out of control. 

To further understand this situation, we can revisit Genesis 4:6, where God directly addresses Cain's emotional state, encouraging him to reflect on his actions and their consequences. This scripture serves as a reminder that we must be vigilant about our emotions and strive for repentance to avoid falling into the trap of sin.

Genesis 4:13

Cain said to the Lord, “My epunishment is greater than I can bear.5 14 Behold, fyou have driven me today away from the ground, and gfrom your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, hand whoever finds me will kill me.”

The Lord has guided me to share this verse as a powerful reminder of the inherent darkness that resides within us when we stray from His light. Without the grace and forgiving nature of our Lord and Savior, we are left to grapple with our own imperfections and sinful tendencies. It’s crucial to recognize how, apart from Him, we can easily succumb to our baser instincts, losing sight of compassion and righteousness. This verse serves as a poignant reflection on our need for His mercy and the transformative power of His love in our lives.

Art emanating from him reminds us of the futility of our own good deeds; it is only through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit that any man or woman can truly succeed in this journey of life. He lived in a state of fear, constantly apprehensive about the expectations and judgments of his own brothers and sisters. This fear cast a shadow over his spirit, hindering his ability to connect with others and embrace the blessings that come from genuine relationships. In this race of existence, it is the divine presence within that ultimately guides us toward victory and fulfillment.

Micah 7:18-19

18 Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity, overlooking the sin of the few remaining for his inheritance? He doesn't hold on to his anger forever; he delights in faithful love. 19 He will once again have compassion on us; he will tread down our iniquities. You will hurl all our sins into the depths of the sea.

Wow, how incredible is our God! This reflection brings to mind the powerful message behind the song that emphasizes His grace and mercy. We, as humans, often feel we deserve punishment for our mistakes, yet He graciously forgives us and casts our sins into the depths of the sea, choosing to remember them no more. This concept is profound and central to our faith. 

One of the greatest challenges we face in our journey of forgiveness is the misconception that we must never forget the wrongs that have been done to us. However, scripture clearly contradicts this way of thinking. If we cling to the pain of past offenses, it indicates that we haven't truly forgiven the person who hurt us. Genuine forgiveness requires us to let go of the grievances that disrupt our relationship with our Lord and Savior.

To fully embrace forgiveness, we must release the burdens of resentment and hurt, allowing ourselves to heal and move forward in our spiritual walk. This is not only about freeing others from their debts to us but also about freeing ourselves from the chains of bitterness. True forgiveness leads to restoration and a deeper, more meaningful connection with God and those around us.

We need to delve deeper into why I refer to it as a culture. This concept represents a framework that we must embrace to effectively navigate our experiences and challenges. As I mentioned earlier, it is ultimately through divine guidance that we gain the strength and determination to make these changes. However, the crucial first step is our submission to God. By doing so, we create the space for the new life in Christ that has been birthed within us to flourish and be fully expressed. This transformative process is essential; it is through embracing this cultural shift that we are empowered to extend forgiveness to others.

As always, I hope this message reaches all intended recipients and brings blessings to those who read it. May God bless all who pass through my blog.

God Bless

peace & shalom