Vengeance is popular today - forgiveness is not. Retaliation is often taught and portrayed to be virtue. Vengeance is portrayed in many movies and media as macho power. Society is drunk on the grapes of human wrath. We are reaping in America the destructive effects of road rage, disgruntled employees who go on shooting rampages, abusive husbands, drive-by shootings, and other crimes of vengeance. Many people are bound and burdened by guilt, anger, depression, and other destructive emotions and habits.

A survey of several pastors revealed an interesting fact: nearly all the personal problems that drive people to seek pastoral counsel are related in some way to the issue of forgiveness. Most counselee’s problems would be greatly diminished or even solved by understanding and applying forgiveness.

Many fathers, in handling conflicts in relationships, model: anger, revenge, verbal abuse, and violence before their children. Fathers are admonished to be a model or teacher to their children. “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Our heavenly Father modeled love and mercy (John 3:16).

To have the freedom and power that God has provided for us, we must experience and extend forgiveness. We must first experience God’s forgiveness - “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Forgiveness is not cheap – it cost God the death of His only begotten Son. A holy and just God cannot simply excuse or pass over sin and rebellion. Someone must pay the price. Jesus took the punishment that we deserved. He became a sin offering and provided forgiveness for all who will repent and receive His gift of salvation by faith (Ephesians 2:8-10). “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9). When we receive Christ’s gift of salvation we are forgiven (Psalm 103) and receive a new nature, a new life (I Corinthians 5:17), a new home, and a new hope.

The second step to freedom and power is to extend forgiveness to those who have wronged or hurt us. Mark 11:25-26 speaks of this kind of forgiveness and even makes it a condition for receiving God’s forgiveness, “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father also, who is in heaven, may forgive you your transgressions. But is you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive you your transgressions.” (See also Matthew 6:12, Luke 6:36-38, and James 2:13.)

Unforgiveness is a deadly toxin. It poisons the heart and mind with bitterness and distorts ones whole outlook on life. Anger, resentment, and sorrow begin to overshadow and overwhelm the unforgiving person. It pollutes the soul and sets on fire evil appetites and emotions. It causes the tongue to spew out venom (James 3:5-18).

Forgiveness brings true freedom, peace, and power. Consider some of the blessings of forgiveness: 1) forgiveness deflects pride. Pride is a major hindrance to forgiveness. It causes self-pity and destroys love (II Corinthians 12:10 and I Corinthians 13:5); 2) forgiveness shows mercy (Matthew 5:7); 3) forgiveness restores joy (Psalm 51:12, 14 and II Corinthians 2:7); 4) forgiveness affirms love (II Corinthians 2:8 and James 2:8); 5) forgiveness proves obedience (II Corinthians 2:9 and Colossians 3:13); 6) forgiveness keeps Satan from getting an advantage over us (II Corinthians 2:11).

Perhaps you feel that it is too difficult to forgive. Perhaps in yourself that may be true. But when you have experienced Christ’s forgiveness for your sins, He will give you His enabling power of love and mercy. “…Forgive as Christ has first forgiven you….” (Colossians 3:12, 13, 17)

God has promised in these last days to “turn the hearts of the father’s to the children” (Luke 1:17). It starts with forgiveness.

Have you received the freedom and power of forgiveness? “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).