What if you held the most powerful tool to growing in your faith? Would you use it?
God used the same tool. God used it through Jesus Christ. You can use it also.
The tool is forgiveness. You, and you alone, hold the power to use forgiveness. If you choose to forgive, you follow in the steps of Jesus Christ.
Forgiveness is the Foundation
Paul wrote to the church of Colossians: "Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive" (3:13, NRSV).
Forgiveness is critical to the Christian faith. Forgiveness is the foundation of the existence of Christianity. Without forgiveness, Christianity does not exist.
Forgiveness comes with a Warning
Forgiveness is so powerful that if you choose not to forgive, your forgiveness may be at stake.
Jesus connects our forgiveness with our willingness to forgive others. In the Lord's Prayer we ask for God to forgive us as we are willing to forgive others.
Jesus shared a parable about a man who was forgiven of a debt he owed to the King. After the King forgave him of an enormous debt, the man went out and found someone who owed him a debt. He refused to forgive him of the debt owed. The King found out what was done. The King summoned him and inquired why he didn't give mercy as he received mercy. In anger, the King had him tortured until he could pay the debt he had originally been forgiven (Matthew 18: 23-35).
Forgiveness Rests With You
The power of forgiveness rests with you. You choose to forgive. Your willingness to forgive someone else isn't based on anyone else but you. Forgiveness is not based upon a person asking for your forgiveness. You hold the power and freedom to forgive when and as you want.
Choose to forgive and you choose like God
Scriptures teach that we are to be holy as God is holy. Forgiveness is a characteristic of God's holiness. Forgiveness is part of what makes God holy. Forgiveness is why we worship God as we do. When you choose to forgive, you are taking a huge leap in growing in the likeness of Christ.
Don't overlook forgiveness. Don't allow your ego, or perception of some personal right, prevent you from growing in your faith. As odd as it sounds, you should be eager to forgive others. You get the chance to do for others what Christ did for you.
