Sunday, November 16, 2008

A Will to Forgive

Sometimes I struggle with making the choice to forgive those who have hurt me, and have taken life from me. I have been dealing with these thoughts of forgiveness plus the stirring of the flesh that wants to build up bitterness and rage at the same time. Oh how I wish it was easier to be more like Father. I have that desire to become much more like Him than I am. I want so bad to let go of all the desires of the flesh and walk away from my pride and take hold of unconditional love and acceptance for those who don’t accept me or love me back. If I could just set all of the negatives aside, and hurtful gesture that were thrown at me and look past into the heart who may be crying out for just that; Unconditional love that Father so gracefully portrays to each and every one of us regardless of our sin. When I think of complete and pure forgiveness, I think of Jesus at the cross, when He was beaten and hung on the cross to die. He died for those who beat Him and nailed Him to the cross; if only they would come to Him, he would wipe their slate clean. If only they could see the love He had for them. In my latest blog post I posed a question about forgiveness. I asked how someone could forgive another if they haven’t asked for forgiveness or even if they think they didn’t do anything wrong. I think if Jesus had the will to forgive, than somewhere in my heart, deep down in a little corner, I do too. Even if it isn’t much of a will, it is something that can grow into great forgiveness. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." I need to give my friend that forgiveness and love even if she doesn’t deserve it. I am not going to deny that this is very hard to do, and requires a lot of God in me to be able to love and forgive this much. The past couple of weeks through what happened are I believe a Transformation of my heart because I am willing to make that choice to forgive her and love her. Even if I have to make that choice every day, I am willing.

Father, only you can give me the strength to love like you love, and to forgive like you forgive. I want to be like you Father, continue to give me that will to be more like you! I love you Abba!

7 comments:

Laurie said...

I think you nailed it with this statement..."walk away from my pride and take hold of unconditional love and acceptance"...

It seems like the right responses flow when my vision is filled with all that He is. Mercy and forgiveness are so much easier to extend to others when the Holy Spirit has revealed our own great need for the same thing. We probably are not even aware of half of what we do (or neglect to do) that has hurt others or grieved the Holy Spirit and a deep awareness of this in our own hearts has a surprisingly beneficial effect toward others. I love you Nic.

Walking Church said...

Nic

Great post.

I have found myself, asking Abba, for Him to forgive them, cause my instincts fight it tooth and nail.

It (unforgiveness) seems to be such a good bone to chew on...but soon I realize their is not much meat on it.

I have also found that I need to pray along the lines...of confession...meaning...telling Him the truth that resides in my thoughts...ie.

"That so, and so, really hurt me...they are such a bonehead (or whatever *&$## comes to mind)...You ask of me to forgive them...my heart and head fight you on this...but I pray it to be so...You will have to do the work...I cannot...your Son who is my life...must. Father it is at these times, I find out how much I hate my flesh....I see glimpses of how much you must hate the flesh as well. Thank you for growing me in this way...by the way Father...it is not because I want to forgive...but it is my love for You and that you ask this of me."

Thanks Nic - for this post; if the body of Christ forgave each other...the outside world would know us by our love!

Aida said...

Nicki, several years ago, Father showed me that forgiveness begins as an act of my will. As with everything else, we want immediate results but it’s a process and I enter that process when I choose to forgive. The emotions may not leave immediately so we often get confused and sabotage the process but, if we’ll continue in the process, those emotions will eventually catch up.

Just be patient. You’ve entered the process and, in time, your emotions will catch.

Laurie said...

Good comments Walking Church and Aida!

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