The Father's Menu

Apostle Dr. Richard Udoh

Monday, October 11, 2021

THE TRUE FORGIVENESS

“Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.”
Matthew 18:21-22 (ESV)
Main Text: Matthew 6:10-15

Forgiveness is a gift given to those who do not deserve it. There’s no wrong that doesn’t deserve forgiveness. Jesus proved it. Stephen did too; read his story: the Jews stirred up false charges against him for preaching the Gospel and ordered his execution. The Bible says, “…as the murderous stones came hurtling at him, Stephen…fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” and with that, he died” (Acts 7:59-60 TLB). He cried out to God to forgive those who murdered him. 

God first began the process by giving the gift of forgiveness to humanity. When we confess our sins to Him, He forgives us and puts them away from Him as far as the East is from the West and He remembers them no more. Ps 103:12 “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”

 However, to benefit from God’s forgiveness, we must receive it by faith. Forgiveness is an essential part of the life of believers. Eph 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Similarly, Col 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Confession: I forgive! I forgive those who have hurt me, either intentionally or otherwise, I forgive, I bear no hurt in my Spirit, I let go of the past and I move on into my glorious future! In the name of Jesus, I am Free!

Further Reading: Matt 6:14-15 (NKJV) "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Isa 43:25 (AMP) “I, even I, am He Who blots out and cancels your transgressions, for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”

Read through the Bible: Ezekiel 44 & Psalm 97-98