the heart of real forgiveness…

what is real forgiveness? for one real forgiveness is relinquishing my right to get even.

this is the heart of real forgiveness. you don’t seek revenge. the bible says it like this in romans 12.19 (tlb), never avenge yourselves. leave that to GOD. for HE has said that HE will repay those who deserve it.

you say, “if i give up my right to get even with somebody who’s hurt me, that’s unfair.” you’re right. it’s unfair. whoever said forgiveness is fair? was it fair for JESUS CHRIST to forgive everything you’ve ever done wrong and let you go scott free? was that fair? no. we always want justice for everybody else, and we all want forgiveness for ourselves. when it comes to somebody else, it’s not fair. but we don’t want GOD to be fair to us, though. we want GOD to be gracious to us. the bible says i relinquish my right to get even.

the truth is that life is not fair. and forgiveness is not fair. it’s called grace, and GOD has shown it to you. but the bible does say this. one day, GOD is going to have the last word. one day, GOD is going to settle the score. one day, GOD is going to right the wrong. one day, GOD is going to balance the ledger. so you let GOD settle the score. you forgive so there can be peace in your heart and you can get on with your life, and you leave the justice part to GOD. the starting point is to relinquish my right to get even.

if you don’t do this, you will fall into the trap of bitterness. we have talked about this so many times, but let’s review it again. resentment and bitterness are worthless tools. they’re worthless emotions. in fact, they are the most unhealthy emotions, doctors tell us. they will eat you alive like cancer. all the resentment you’ve got, all the bitterness toward people who have hurt you in your past, it isn’t going to change the past. no matter how much you resent it, it’s not going to change the past. all that resentment and all that bitterness and all those grudges you’ve held are not going to change the future. you cannot change your past with your resentment. all you can do is mess up today. and who do you mess up? you.

many times people hold resentment in their hearts and the other people are totally unaware of it. they’re going along their merry way, having fun, enjoying life, getting on with the future. and you’re the one who’s stuck in the past.

just a thought from the past…