As His children, we are to be known for how we extend forgiveness.
Not because the other person deserves it.
Because you and I both know, there is no such person, for we ALL fall short of His standards. don’t we?
We are to forgive because we know the value of it.
For we are the forgiven.
Forgiveness is the gift God gave for us, and to us, because of Jesus.
Because we could not approach Him due to our filth, He made the way by both cleaning us & covering us. As if that weren’t enough, He specifically purposefully intentionally forgives us out of His great love.
We are to forgive because we are now Him to those around us.
We are to offer what we have gratefully received, for we know how freeing it was to be made clean and forgiven our wrongs
We are to extend this gift to those who hurt us, to show we want to obey and honor our God. To show we get it, this incredible gift of forgiveness.
He asks us to forgive.
And because we want to honor Him, for who He is & all He has done for us, we should.
Doesn’t mean it will be easy.
I have no doubt the walk to the cross weighed quite heavily on Jesus.
But because of love, He continued.
Because of His love, and our love for Him, may we forgive as He prompts us, each and every time.
May we be so known as for givers that people will question us as to why, & can meet the Forgiver.
For He gave His all, for us all.
And asks us to do the same as we follow His lead.
Forgive.
KARLA LEES 
Forgiveness upon repentance is a crucial aspect of the Christian life. We are forgiven all by our Creator when we repent. Jesus, from the cross, asked that forgiveness be granted to those who did not know what they were doing, to those rejecting Him in ignorance. Yes, we are called to have a forgiving spirit.
We are also called to repentance and given the spirit of discernment to know when repentance is required for forgiveness. Is someone unknowingly hurting you in some way? If necessary, tell them, give them an opportunity to make it right, so you can move forward in forgiveness. Have you unintentionally hurt someone? Be open to the fact that we aren’t perfect, repent, and accept an offer of forgiveness. Has someone wronged you intentionally yet refuses to have a repentant heart? Let it go, and let God handle it.
There is a difference between forgiving and letting go. To forgive is to go forward with one another as if no wrong has ever transpired. To let go is to move forward having discerned by God’s Word what is acceptable treatment for you as as a child of God.
Christians need not walk around in a perpetual state of guilt for not forgiving an unrepentant person who intentionally and habitually hurts them, for refusing to go forward in a relationship or situation as if nothing wrong has been done. We should let it go, pray for the offender in love because our Father loves them, harboring no ill will toward them, knowing God is capable of handling his own creation. Neither should we walk around in a false state of innocence. We all fall short, so we should all have the ability to humble ourselves to repentance–not only to God but also to one another–to turn from our wrongdoing, not assuming that since we are all brothers and sisters in Christ we are owed forgiveness without repentance. Luke 17:3-4
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Thank you for your words, Grace. I appreciate your sharing them with me. Blessings!
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