Articles and Scriptures

Forgiveness

A number of years ago when attending the ETH world convention, a tremendous anointing fell on a black singer ministering at that time. There were about 2 or 3,000 people in attendance and yet the anointing visibly fell on a lady sitting in a wheelchair with multiple sclerosis. We as a group had been enjoying the presence of the Lord and responding with dancing and praising with our whole hearts. This lady, however, could not physically do many of the things we had been doing. But as she explained later, she so wanted to praise him she did what she could do. She slid out of that chair and rolled on the floor. As she did that the whole room was charged with the electricity of the Holy Ghost. Suddenly out from the group came about six or seven intercessors. They helped her to a back room.

My friend Jane Norman was working in the back room. She told me what happened there. They began praying for her. One discerned through the word of knowledge that she had unforgiveness. She confessed her sin and was set free. Immediately she could walk and use all parts of her body!

Twenty minutes later she walked on the stage, glowing and completely set free of the terrible disease. Bubbling with joy and love, she gave her testimony. A prophecy with great anointing came forth. It said in effect that her healing was a picture of the bride of Christ, bound by unforgiveness. But as she chose to forgive, she would be set free to do and be what Christ has called her to be.

In a book entitled None of These Diseases by a medical doctor S.I. McMiller, he states that it is estimated that between 60 to 100% of all diseases stem originally from negative emotions. Toxins are released from negative emotions such as resentment, bitterness, anger etc. that do destructive things over a period of time. Laughter also releases a chemical but it does constructive work on our bodies.

It is important physically and spiritually to forgive! We want to forgive the way God forgives us!
He pardons us. “Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return (7725- shuv- turn around, turn to) unto the Lord , and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.(55545 -salach- forgive, spare, to be merciful, gentle)

He forgives us. “Blessed is the man whose transgression is forgiven (5375- nasa root word for banner- nissi- lift, lift one’s head, countenance, eyes, bear or carry, accept the person, pardon), whose sin is covered.

He blots out our sins. “I, even I, am he that blotteth out (4229 machah- remove, wipe off, destroy) thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember (2142-zakar- to mark as to recognize, record, think on)
thy sins.” Is.43:25 “...I will forgive their iniquity and remember their sin no more.” Jeremiah 31:34
Another Hebrew word for forgive is kaphar (3722- cover, appease, make atonement, purge away, make reconciliation, make free from charge.
The Greek word aphiemi means the complete removal of the cause of the offense by sacrifice of Christ on the cross.

Our forgiveness is on the basis of God’s mercy and grace
“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me bless his holy name. Bless the Lord O my soul and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness (hesed- bridegroom’s love) and tender mercies (racham- mother or father’s love)... v. 8 The Lord is merciful (hesed) and gracious (chanan- king’s favor toward subjects), slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy (hesed). He will not always chide; neither will he keep his anger forever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth (racham) his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. ...v.17 but the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unot children’s children.” (Ps. 103:1-4, 8-13, 17). It is also based on Christ’s death by the shedding of his blood (Heb. 9:22; Col. 1:14), our repentance (Acts 2:38), and our forgiveness toward others (Matt. 6:12-14). Jesus told Peter to forgive the brother that sins against him 70 x 7 (limitless no.) and the parable of the unforgiving servant who wouldn’t forgive his fellow servant a small debt after being forgiven of a huge debt. Jesus clearly states that if we don’t forgive, God can’t forgive us and will deliver us to the tormentors (demonic oppression).

So, if we forgive like God does, we will choose to forgive. But it goes beyond a decision to forgive. At the 2001 ETH convention Derek Kuhn said, “It isn’t enough to make a decision to forgive that one that hurt you or violated you. It isn’t enough if they even apologize to you. That can’t restore 20 years of pain. It has to be paid for. The pain isn’t gone until the payment is made. Jesus paid for the sin of that one that violated you. When we accept the payment Jesus made by shedding his blood for that one that violated you, the pain is gone. It is the same foundation for our sins. When we take our pain outside of the blood, we have exalted our pain above the cross. We have made our pain bigger and more painful than the cross. We are not only exalting our pain above the cross; we are mistreating the blood.”

So, we need to lay their sin at the foot of the cross- the same way we lay our own sin to receive forgiveness. We need to ask God to heal us and heal us quickly of the hurt or offense or violation. It HAS TO BE HEALED. So many Christians who know they are to forgive just push it down. That can lead to sickness and disease.

We need to pray and thank the Lord for the person who violated us.
Matt. 5:44, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” No matter how bad the person or his violation, God loves them and made them and has a plan for their lives. Forgiveness and a thankful heart releases God to work on their behalf!

Try to be reconciled if possible. ACT! Ask the Lord what to do. It may be to ask forgiveness (even if 95-100% is their fault). Humble yourself. It may be to send a card, or make a batch of cinnamon rolls. (Cinnamon roll story)

There are cases where reconciliation is impossible but you can release them to God (story of Mom and sewer).

Like God, Remember their sin no more. Is that possible? Yes, remembering is a choice. How do we remember God’s Word? We go over and over them. We study, meditate, and chew on them. We say it out loud. We write it down. We might even record verses and play them over and over.

When we want to save something on the computer, we put the information on a floppy disc. Then, if we want to pull it up again, we can put that disc into the computer, pull up the information, print it out, and even read it. When someone violates or offends us, it is like we make a disc. When we truly forgive the offense, we don’t keep that information on the disc... What happens when something reminds us of the offense? (Satan is good at that.) We can’t just remove the disc from the computer; we have to delete the information. We do that by refusing to think and dwell on it. We can choose to remember God and God’s word. He gives us the “think test” in Phil.4: 8. When we are thinking about anything we need to ask ourselves:
1. Is it true?
2. Is it honorable?
3. Is it just?
4. Is it pure?
5. Is it of good report?
6. Is it worthy of virtue?
7. Is it praiseworthy?

If not, DELETE, DELETE, DELETE!!!!
Music or sermons we like to listen to again and again are recorded on tapes, CDs, and now DVD’s. When we talk about the offense, we resurrect the unforgiveness. We are recording a new tape. We need to erase the tape!

Death and life are in the power of the tongue. When we talk against someone (that offended us or gossip about what someone else has done) we are spiritually murdering them. We are bloodguilty. Read Ps.51 (Story about blood, and sickness)

If unforgiveness reigns in the heart, it will ferment into the vinegar of bitterness. Have you heard of bitter root judgments? If there is a bitter root, we will find ourselves on other subjects and persons making judgments. It will also prevent your prayers from being answered (Hebrews 12:15) Ephesians 4:31, 32 says,

“Let all bitterness, and wrath and anger and clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, will all malice: and be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

When we have truly forgiven, only tender mercies and lovingkindness will emanate from our hearts toward them. On the cross Jesus said about his persecutors, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do .”

A Spanish couple from Berryville told me a true story of a Mexican evangelist who after receiving the Holy Spirit was accused of being crazy. He was dragged by a rope from a truck and incarcerated at the local jail, his head was shaved, and he was forced to clean the city streets. Local youngsters harassed as he did his work saying he was crazy. He replied simply that he was not. After several days, he was released. He asked permission to speak to the townspeople. He preached the gospel and many were saved. Was it because he lived the gospel by his forgiving heart?

So, decide to forgive. Lay their sin at the foot of the cross. Ask God to heal you and heal you quickly. Pray and thank God for them. Act on your forgiveness doing whatever God says to do. Reconcile if possible or release them to God. And don’t remember their sin. Don’t save their offense on a “disc” and play it over and over. Delete the CD! Don’t make a tape by talking about it!

In the Song of Solomon 1:14, “My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire (henna) in the vineyards of Engedi.” Henna comes from a tree yields a stain used as a red dye. The Hebrew word means to cover, redemption price. The primary root means to forgive. It pictures the shed blood of Christ on Calvary as our ransom from sin and death.

In the Middle East, on the night before the wedding, the bride has henna paste bound to her hands and feet her hands (works) and feet (walk) are to exude the sweet smell of forgiveness. Jesus calls his bride to walk continually in the forgiveness won by him for her (1 John 1:9) and to pass that forgiveness onto others (Matt. 6:14, 15). Have you truly forgiven those that have hurt you and wounded you? Ask God to search your heart today.

© 2007 Dr. Edith Saller. All Rights Reserved.