Covenant Evangelism 5

Topic:  FORGIVE

Bible passages: 2 Chron. 7:14, Psalm 86:4-6, Matt. 6:14-16, 18:20-22, Mark 11:25, James 5:15

Forgive is only a 7 letter word but it is one of the most difficult things for mankind to do, yet it is one of the most important things that mankind must learn to do to get what mankind ultimately wants on this land of the living. PEACE AND PROSPERITY.

When ours friends, family or neighbours wrong us, it hurts deeply and each time we remember that offence, we find it difficult to forgive. Unbeknown to us that not forgiving that person is taking your own peace away by your own self. We all want a peaceful home, work environment, peaceful marriages, peaceful children but we are not willing to put in the work to get this peace. Forgiving is the work that we need to do in order to get this desired peace. As the name says, we give for the sake of love and peace. It should be called GIVEFOR because that is essentially what we give for peace to reign in our lives.

One of the disciples asked Jesus Christ how many times we must forgive our fellow men, in  ²¹ Matthew 18:20-22 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
²² Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.                 If we have to count our friends and family wrong doings, I am sure none will be 70 times seven times, which is 490 times. This just tells us don’t bother counting just forgive and move on.

Jesus on the cross was beaten, whacked, flogged, spat on and yet he did not swear at them or curse them, he prayed for them as he knew that if they knew better, they would not do what they did. I believe if we all did that and refuse to hold grudges, we will have ultimate peace. Letting go is key to good health as the bible links sickness with forgiveness in a few verses. In one verse, it talks about healing a paralytic by forgiving him. In another it tells a sick man to go to church to be prayed for by the elders and be anointed with olive oil and God will forgive him. If you are ill or no anyone who is unwell, please forgive those who have really hurt you and then God will forgive you your sins and make you well. It says in Matt. 6:14-16 that you can only be for forgiven if you forgive those who have wronged you. It even says if you  are making a request to God to do something for you, maybe for God to help you pass your exams or make a family member well, it says don’t bother praying or offering anything to God until you have forgiven all those who wronged you.

The wonderful news is that God is always ready and eager to forgive us anytime we confess our sins. All sins are forgivable only the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not forgivable. Because it hurts badly and it is not easy to forgive, you need help in the form of the Holy Spirit. Ask the Holy Spirit to come into your life and help deal with the hurt and pain that you suffered and to help you forgive. This is the specialty of the Holy Spirit, to help us achieve those things that are difficult for mankind ordinarily.

I pray for you that today as you read this and start to forgive those who have wronged you, God in his infinite mercy will forgive you and release his blessing and healing into your life. Amen. May the peace of the Lord that surpasses human understanding rest and abide with you in Jesus name. Amen

if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:13-15

For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.
Psalm 86:4-6

But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:14-16

Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.
Matthew 12:31-33

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
Matthew 18:20-22

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.
Mark 11:24-26

And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:8-10