Being kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32
If I have learned anything in my life, it is that forgiveness has a healing power for me, and it is as much for me as it is for the person whom I need to forgive; for example, Jesus once healed a man who couldn’t help himself. His friends had to lower the man through an opening that they had torn in a roof. After doing so, Jesus told the man he was forgiven, and the religious holy Joe types and the holy Jane type s went crazy over Jesus forgiving sin. They believed only God could do this. So, Jesus then spoke to them and asked them, “Which is easier to tell someone that their sins are forgiven?” Or is it easier to say get up and be made well. The bed ridden man walked away well that day, and more importantly he walked away forgiven. Yes, healing and forgiveness go hand in hand.
Applying This Principle To Daily Life
In my book Rock Solid Living in a Quicksand World-Rewind, I spend much more time regarding Jesus foundation laying teachings on forgiveness. His teachings on this really do impart R.E.S.T. (Rock-solid Eternal Spirituality Today) from the turmoil caused by unforgiveness.
Certainly more importantly than anything I would say are the words in our scripture verse above. They come from an ancient man of wisdom, whom we call The Apostle Paul. He was very clear as he shared soul healing, life changing, broken relationship mending truth; and this freedom giving truth can be practically applied today, as storms roll into our sometimes peaceful relational settings. Much like a storm rolling in over the beauty of a quiet crystal clear lake, problems can arise that are destructive to our our relational well being.
The Remedy
The remedy for this plague of unforgivness, says Paul is, “Be kind and compassionate to one another. Forgiving one another, just as Christ forgave you.” Think about what he just said about forgiveness: Forgiveness is an example of kindness and compassion. These two things alone provide healing to a life; additionally, we are to forgive, just as Christ forgave you and me. Wow! A real motivator in forgiving others is found in taking time out to think about how Christ forgave and forgives us. It involves giving this some heart moving and thought provoking – prayerful – consideration. After all, healing comes at a price to someone.
The Fee For Our Forgiveness, Healing and R.E.S.T
What price did Yeshua pay? What debt did he satisfy? Sadly, all to many have heard this to the point of sheer boredom, but I really hope you can hear this way down deep into the inner recesses of your spirit and your soul: In order for you and me to be forgiven, he was wounded, bruised, punished, whipped, bled, died, and he literally went through hell to conquer Satan. He did this to deliver you and me from bondage to sin and death; therefore, our remedy for our healing and forgiveness, and for overcoming our unforgiving heart, is to really remember the price paid for your forgiveness and mine. And then to forgive the other accordingly. If we really understand the debt we owe, we are more able to at least consider God’s will regarding forgiving others. And when we do, we solidify the benefits of our forgiveness which is healing.We will experience (know) the truth, and the truth will set us free.
God Bless You.
SoJourner
Rock Solid Living 