Copyright © Othealor W. Prince, 2024
forgiveness
All posts tagged forgiveness
A lot of people think that once they are forgiven by a person, that person doesn’t have the right to say “ouch!”
Many feel that forgiveness erases the effect of their offence and therefore the offended party should not have anything further to say about it.
That is insensitive and arrogant of the offending party and reveals their lack of remorse at having injured someone else!
Although the scriptures indicate that God forgives, it doesn’t say that it didn’t cost him severe grief and pain nor does it hush his cries of pain and anguish.
Consider this.
Although Jesus forgave the ones who tortured him and crucified him, it didn’t diminish his suffering or numb his pain.
Jesus was publicly scourged, or beaten, with a leather-thronged whip. Tiny pieces of iron and bone chips were tied to the ends of each leather thong-cutting deep into his flesh and causing deep, flesh-ripping painful cuts and bruising.
Yet, he forgave.
He was struck in the head with a staff and spit on. A crown of 2 to 6 inch sharp prickly thorns was placed on his head digging deep into his scalp, forehead and ears. He was stripped naked in public before his enemies, family and friends.
Yet, he forgave.
Before they nailed him to the cross, a mixture of vinegar, gall and myrrh was offered to him. This drink was said to alleviate some of the suffering, but Jesus refused to drink this numbing potion. Stake-like nails were driven through his wrists and ankles, fastening him to the cross where he was crucified between two convicted criminals.
Yet, he forgave.
Jesus hung on the cross in agony for about six hours while people passed by shouting insults and scoffing at him. He also cried out to his Father, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Yet, Jesus forgave.
And as darkness covered the land. Jesus gave up his spirit having shed his divine blood for our transgressions and iniquities-reconciling the world back to YHVH.
Through cries of agony and unimaginable pain and feelings of abandonment by His FATHER, Christ prayed that His FATHER would forgive those who tortured him and crucified him.
FORGIVENESS SAYS “OUCH!”
FORGIVENESS CLARIFIED AND APPLIED
Forgiveness is not saying that things are okay now, and then going back into an abusive situation or relationship. It is not letting someone off the hook by saying, “You didn’t do anything wrong.” Forgiveness is not denying that a hurtful situation exists and it isn’t denying the fact that you are injured and experienced pain, sufferings and loss because of the actions of another. And forgiveness does not mean that you accept the offending party’s behavior.
Forgiveness is repetitive and requires a conscience effort to release the offending party from their moral indebtedness to you – setting them free from any obligation/punishment or consequence for their offence. It is the waiving of your right to seek revenge or restitution for the hurt someone caused you; to reflect God‘s mercy for you in your forgiving mercy toward others.
Genuine forgiveness may not be painless or without cost. Those who truly forgive may at times cry out in pain and agony and pay with their very blood and wellbeing as did our Lord and savior.
Forgiveness sometimes says “Ouch!”
Who do you need to forgive today?
I strongly urge you to begin the forgiveness process today through praying the following prayer.
Father God, I ask You to please forgive and help me to forgive ________________________________for whatever they may have said, done or conspired against me. Although their offence continues to cause me hurt, pain and grief, lay not this sin to their charge. Forgive them, for they know not what they’ve done. If Jesus could forgive when they were crucifying him, I know and believe that I can forgive anyone who has come against me. I forgive them in Jesus’ name. Amen
Copyright © Othealor W. Prince 2010
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TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!
The strength to forgive is not human but divine. We should forgive and pray for those who are killing us and/or causing us to suffer. We ought to forgive and pray for those who couldn’t care less if we forgave or prayed for them or not.
“You have heard that our fathers were told, ‘Love your neighbor — and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! Then you will become children of your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:43-45)
It doesn’t matter if they ask to be forgiven or acknowledge their transgressions against us or know about our prayers for them. For us, it is a matter of loving FATHER YHVH and becoming children of GOD in CHRIST.
We belong to GOD.
AMEN!
Copyright © Othealor W. Prince 2015
All Rights Reserved
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!
Father, we pray in the authority of the name of the Holy Messiah that those who are in prison may be forgiven of any transgressions they may have committed against You and/or their fellow man. We pray that the unjustly incarcerated and those who have been falsely accused be immediately exonerated. You know the hearts of every soul and therefore we pray that prison sentences be reduced for the nonviolent and repentant souls and that their lives be restored to them better than before.
We especially pray for the parents, siblings, wives and the children of those who are serving time in prison. We realize that they are as imprisoned as their loved ones are. Please Father Have Mercy on Them And Keep Them Secure In Your Loving Hands And Comfort Their Aching Hearts and Lonely Souls.
In the name of Christ our LORD, we pray that you keep and protect our incarcerated brothers and sisters from the many dangers and unspeakable horrors of imprisonment. By The Power of Your Holy Spirit and Through Your Loving Kindnesses and Tender Mercies, please cover each and every inmate, especially those of The Household of Faith, with Your shield and buckler of protection. Allow them to abide securely under the shadow of Your wing. You are our Lord, Refuge and Habitation, no evil shall befall those who take refuge in You — no accident will overtake them — neither shall any plague or calamity come near them.
Please give Your angels charge over the imprisoned and the condition and the circumstance of their incarceration, to keep them away from judicial disparity and physical and psychological harm – to encourage them in their despair and provide hope for their families.
Thank You for hearing our prayer. We know that You are with us in trouble and that You deliver us and satisfy us with long life and show us Your salvation.
HAVE MERCY DEAR LORD.
In Christ’s name, amen.