Yesterday was a great gift to my life as I was allowed to make some choices and to make them wisely.
Speaking for myself only, the greatest gift in my entire life has been forgiveness from any and all past choices that may not have been the best and most honorable. Forgiveness has allowed me to become a better person, more loving, and doing things that are right for the sake-of-the-right. Without forgiveness, I could not have peace, and I do have peace.
There’s an exciting story at the beginning of the bible.
“Gen 4:13 Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear 14 Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” 15 Then the LORD said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, **vengeance shall be taken on him** **sevenfold**.” And the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him.”
Cain had killed his brother Abel, Cain was found guilty by
G-d who sees all.
Isn’t it exciting to realize that G-d was going to judge the actions and the hearts of the individuals that would have killed Cain in Cain’s guilty condition? It levels the playing field, so to speak. What an eye-opener!
A few generations later, Lamech makes a reference to Cain in his speech to his wives:
Gen 4:23 Lamech said to his wives:
“Adah and Zillah, hear my voice;
you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say:
I have killed a man for wounding me,
a young man for striking me.
24 If Cain’s revenge is **sevenfold (being that he was guilty)**,then Lamech’s is **seventy-sevenfold (for not being guilty)**
Many generations later speaking of this very reference the wisest Prophet of all references this very principle:
Matthew 18: 21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? **till seven times (the number of guilty)**? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, **Until seven times (the number of the guilty): but Until seventy times seven. (the number of the innocent; as if they are innocent)
**The Messiah didn’t even ask Peter if his ‘brother’ was innocent or guilty, Yeshua said forgive him as if he didn’t do it.
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35** So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.**
Wise words right there, the principle of forgiveness sets people free when they turn their lives from doing unpleasingly before G-d, our opinion doesn’t matter.
From the beginning (b’ reyshet) we are taught that even if we are wrong and need to turn from the actions that have separated us from the goodness of G-d that G-d doesn’t **only** judge the wrong that we have done, but He judges the wrong that others would do to us in our wrong-condition because they perceive our wrong.
Even if it’s just because they have had a bad day and said angry words G-d is watching OUR response towards them. G-d does not have tunnel vision. He’s the most extraordinary multi-tasker judging many things at the same moment.
I choose forgiveness again today and every day, because I want to be forgiven each and every day…..even from all accidental heart issues.
I choose to forgive family, I choose to forgive friends, I choose to forgive enemies; because I have been forgiven and forgiveness has made be **free**, forgiveness has made me ‘**clean**’
.
**I am clean because I’m forgiven and I forgive.**
Mat 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Forgiveness is the greatest gift in the world. In a world that the news says may never again be the same because of Coronavirus, it is forgiveness, which is true freedom. Even in quarantine, you can be truly free, because true freedom comes on the inside.
Yesterday did not feel like a gift, but when I woke up this morning I realised it was truly a gift to be trusted to make the right choice for the sake-of-the-right-choice
#thankfulforforgivenessUpdated Mar 20, 2020, 5:38 PM