TEXT: Matthew 18: 21-35.
THEME: UNFORGIVENESS IS TOO EXPENSIVE TO MAINTAIN.
Memory Verse: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” (Hebrews 12:14-15).
God understands the colossal cost of unforgiveness. That’s why He advocates that we follow all men with peace. Without peace which is a product of holiness, it becomes impossible to make heaven at the end of this life.
So, the Lord is urging believers today to follow peace and avoid unforgiveness because it is a trap which the devil is using to ensnare many Christians. It is true that many people have been offended in unimaginable ways. For example, some have had their reputation smeared by the lies of others which brought them shame and untold hardship.
Others have had their life savings stolen or defrauded by people they trusted and are now living in penury and suffering. Others have been denied critical help from people that could easily have given them that life-saving help in time of need while others still have lost their loved ones at the hands of others.
Nobody can say that these things are not extremely painful especially when they have been caused by people we trusted and loved. It is because of examples such as these that many believe that unforgiveness can be justified in some instances and may not be counted against them. This however is a lie from the pit of hell.
In spite of the painful nature of offense, God has commanded us to forgive our offenders unconditionally. He expects us to forgive the person whether he or she deserves forgiveness or not; even when the person maybe unrepentant.
He also does not expect us to seek revenge or retribution. God is not asking us for something that He Himself is not prepared to do. He forgave us all our sins no matter how grievous they seem. He is willing to welcome the vilest sinner once he truly repents.
The Bible says that He forgave us while we were still sinners. What He forgave us for cannot be compared to what others have done to us.
When we refuse to forgive those that have wronged us we are not only sinning against God, we are harming ourselves. This is because unforgiveness breeds bitterness. Have you ever seen a happy bitter man before? Of course not.
So, you are robbing yourself of joy. It has also been scientifically proven that unforgiveness causes many physical ailments ranging from headaches to ulcers and even some cancers.
There is a saying that unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die. We must therefore forgive one another no matter the offence. Forgive and let God work out your vindication. Any other way will rob you of your joy.
Worship/praise God and then take the following prayer points:
1. Lord, give me the mind of Christ and grace to forgive even those things that seem hard to forgive, in Jesus name.
2. Any spirit of unforgiveness ministering to me not to forgive, be silent forever, in Jesus name.
3. Lord, let your peace and joy that surpasses human understanding be my portion, in Jesus name.
4. Lord, give our G. O and Mommy in the Lord the heart to keep forgiving those that offend them, in Jesus name.
5. Any demon of war waiting to drink the blood of the innocents in our nation, drink your own blood and eat your flesh, in Jesus name.