Forgive

June 9, 2017

Devotions:

        “To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” ‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭2:10-11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

        The Kingdom of God is based on forgiveness.  Jesus hanging on the cross prayed for the ones crucifying Him, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Throughout the Gospels Jesus teaches that the we are to forgive.  It is central to the Gospel. Jesus in the Old Testament context said that if we do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive. This is law. Paul says to forgive even as God for Christ sake has forgiven us." Ephesians 4:32

        Forgiveness then is essential to the kingdom and us walking in victory.  Here in 2 Corinthians Paul shows us that if we do not forgive it leaves a door open for Satan to take advantage of us.  Through unforgiveness Satan then can bring sickness, disease, calamity and other parts of the curse. 

        Our power to forgive the unforgivable is in the one who dwells in us and cannot help but forgive, Jesus.  When we are wounded, it is by the power of the greater one in us that we can forgive and keep on forgiving.  The pain that is caused by the offender I use as a stimulus to ask God to bless the offender and in that way I am totally set free from the one who wounded me.  Forgiveness is a choice that you make if you want to walk in victory by the Spirit. The only other alternative is to be under the heal of the enemy, Satan.