[Blog] Forgive and Forget

Amidst everything that is happening these days, I lift everything up to God that He will change the hearts of these people to fulfill the command that He said in the Scripture --- "Love one another as I [Jesus] have loved you." People were hurt, are hurting and maybe will continue to be hurt and be at that state until they step out IN FAITH saying that they will FORGIVE, MOVE ON and let GOD make His way into their hearts. I am hurt that seeds of division are planted in their hearts but I am sure that God is even more hurt seeing His children not loving and forgiving each other. FORGIVENESS is ALWAYS a conscious effort and decision to do when we say that we love God.

Let me just share some points about FORGIVENESS in the recently concluded T4V in VCF Pioneer on what the Bible says about Forgiveness.

(1) Forgiveness is our DUTY and there are no limitations on how we should forgive or how many times. Forgiveness is our duty because without it, there's a root of bitterness that will grow in us that will cause trouble to a lot of people [Hebrews 12:15]

(2) There are no limitations on who we should forgive or how many times. It is mentioned in the Bible that we must forgive our brothers and sisters not seven times but seventy-seven times. [MATT 18:21-22] It's so easy to count the number of times we have forgiven someone who had oppressed us but have we thought of counting the number of times we have been forgiven by Our God? Who are you to count them as you do this for your brothers or sisters?

(3) If we do not forgive, we will not be forgiven. The Bible said in Mark 11:25 that: "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Yes, it's so hard to forgive the people who hurt us and it's our natural tendency to revenge but God promised that He will avenge for us and will curse those who have cursed us. He also instructed us not to revenge but leave room for God's wrath. [Romans 12:19] You may say that you know these already and the nitty-gritty of this word but why do we actually do this? We do this because this is exactly what Jesus did for us and even was sent here by God the Father to wash away our sins. Also, since we are claiming that we have Christ in our hearts, we must forgive because God has forgiven us in Christ! Need I say more about forgiveness?

Many of you might ask how we forgive from the heart. According to the T4V as well, the following are the steps:

(1) Acknowledge the hurt.

(2) Resolve to forgive.

(3) Pray to release forgiveness to those who have hurt you and release blessings in their lives

Many of us got stuck on the 1st step that's why we cannot release forgiveness in our heart. There are two more steps and it takes FAITH in GOD to move to the next one. We must start and finish this strong so we’ll have peace in our hearts. Many of you might react: "WHAT?!? She already hurt me, I forgave her and now I am blessing her?!? No way!" --> This mentality is so wrong! The title of this blog is "FORGIVE and FORGET" and a lot of us are guilty of just doing one of these two words. This is not alien to me because at one point in time, I chose one and did not mind the other one then I say I moved on. NO! You cannot forgive if you have not forgotten what she did as well as you cannot forget is you do not forgive. It's hard to forget but pray that God takes it away from your heart. When we resist to forgive and forget, our hearts harden thus it becomes stone in the process but the Lord said "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." [Ezekiel 36:26] You cannot say that you have moved on but say that you do not forget. You SHOULD and MUST forget once you release forgiveness from your heart.

Sigh… I am just sad with the sight of these things happening within my yard and I am accountable to God that I will guide them properly and will enlighten them as they go through this battle and come out victorious still after the storm. Today, make that conscious decision. You will put this issue to rest; leave them alone and let them do their thing; cry out loud for one last time; stop pointing fingers to who is at fault and who we think is the victim. REMEMBER: If you point your finger to someone, the other 4 are pointing back at you. PRAY for forgiveness and compassion and LET GOD ARISE in the middle of this turmoil.