1st Corinthians 6:6 But brother goes to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. 7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because you go to law one with another. Why do you not rather take wrong? why do you not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
Some persons may erroneously believe that forgiving someone should cost nothing. Basically, in a nutshell, not happening, for whenever someone is forgiven, the forgiver takes a hit, either financially, emotionally, socially, mentally, verbally, or even physically, but someway somehow, there is an impact to the forgiver. This fact we must now be permanently reconciled to. Over the holidays, several gifts were exchanged by friends and families, but all the items had to be paid for at Macy’s, Bloomingdales, or Nordstrom, as the case might be.
So, the gifts were free to those who received them, but the individuals who made the purchase had to pay. Similarly, if we are to forgive someone full and free as God does, we must be prepared to pay, or take a hit, in some form or fashion so that forgiveness can be offered, as it was through the person of Christ.
God did not leave forgiveness up to mere feelings as many of us do, but instead was strategic, deliberate, and intentional in making it available. The reason for this is that if persons were to leave forgiveness up to mere feelings, there will often be times when we do not feel to forgive. In fact, in most instances, feeling to forgive goes quite contrary to our natural grain.
Matthew 26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry here, and watch with me. 39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!