Forgive and be forgiven

Forgive and be forgiven.  During the past 34 years of my private practice as a spiritual/psychotherapist, my findings agree with the spiritual teachings herein. 

The single most transformative element that manifests a will to change from negative patterns into a new life free of past patterns that brought such grief to the soul is found in the highest spiritual blessing,The State of Grace, forgiveness!

“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” (Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV).

An unforgiving spirit is a real handicap. Forgiveness is one of those minimum courtesies and virtues of a Christian. Lacking a forgiving spirit classifies us as just another sinner in need of salvation.

When a person is powerless to repay a debt because of its magnitude and his own poverty, then there is only one way that the debt can ever be cancelled. That is through forgiveness by the one who is owed.

We find ourselves in that position before God because of our sins. How grateful we should be that God has chosen to forgive us if we will just repent and receive Christ as our Savior, who paid the debt we owed by His dying on the cross in our place.

It’s up to Christians to take the initiative in resolving problems with others. Christians should not expect the other person to take the initiative, as the other person may not be spiritually strong enough to do it. Unforgiveness is a mark of spiritual weakness.

When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we pray, “Forgive us our trespasses (debts or sins) as we forgive them that trespass against us.” Since this prayer often becomes a routine recitation of the prayer that Jesus gave His Disciples for an example of how to pray, we are in danger of committing sin by a it if we don’t sincerely mean it!"

http://www.trivalleycentral.com/articles/2011/09/21/arizona_city_independent/religion/doc4e78fc460f767241818823.txt

"To forgive grudgingly is not forgiveness at all. Forgiveness must be given out of love for the soul of the offender. The Bible teaches us to hate sin but love the sinner and to desire his/her salvation."

Forgive and be forgiven.  This brief excerpt only touches several powerful points that is further addressed in the article.  Read more:

http://www.trivalleycentral.com/articles/2011/09/21/arizona_city_independent/religion/doc4e78fc460f767241818823.txt