The Lord has been speaking to my heart recently on the power of forgiveness
and how we need to be forgiving of others just as God is forgiving towards
us. There are many people in the world who hold bitter feelings toward
someone who was wronged them and I hope this message on forgiveness will
help those that need to forgive, and also show the blessings that come with
forgiving and being forgiven.

An unforgiving heart is just like cancer that eats away at a person's body.
When we become so embittered that we refuse to forgive someone that has
hurt our feelings or done something wrong against us, it not only affects
our mind and heart, but many times people are affected in their physical
body. Jesus ministered many times on how we should be forgiving towards
others because He knows of the poisons that come with an unforgiving heart.

St. Peter wanted to know about forgiveness and one day he came to Jesus and
asked Him this question, "How many times should I forgive my brother who
has sinned against me; seven times?" Jesus answered him and said, "Do not
forgive seven times, but forgive seventy times seven (490 times)." After
Jesus answered Peter's question on forgiving, He told a great story on
forgiveness and it should be a story that is told more often. I would
like for you to read the story in it's entirety as it is written in the
New Living Translation.


Matthew 18:23-35 (The numbers in the text refers to the Bible verses)

Jesus tells, 23 For this reason, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to
a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had
borrowed money from him. 24 In the process, one of his debtors was brought
in who owed him millions of dollars. 25 He couldn't pay, so the king
ordered that he, his wife, his children, and everything he had be sold to
pay the debt. 26 But the man fell down before the king and begged him, 'Oh,
sir, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.' 27 Then the king was
filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.

28 "But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed
him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded
instant payment. 29 His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for
a little more time. 'Be patient and I will pay it,' he pleaded. 30 But his
creditor wouldn't wait. He had the man arrested and jailed until the debt
could be paid in full.

31 "When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They
went to the king and told him what had happened. 32 Then the king called
in the man he had forgiven and said, 'You evil servant! I forgave you that
tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Shouldn't you have mercy
on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?' 34 Then the angry
king sent the man to prison until he had paid every penny.

35 "That's what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive
your brothers and sisters in your heart.


We have all fallen short at one time or another and sinned against God,
but when we came to Him and asked God to forgive us; the Bible says He has
washed us clean and made us whiter than freshly fallen snow. As far as
God is concerned our sin never happened because He forgives and forgets,
and that is exactly how we should be. Just as the Lord forgave us of the
huge debt that we could never pay, we should be forgiving towards that one
who has hurt our feelings or done something wrong against us.
(Isaiah 1:18) (Isaiah 43:25)

Jesus never taught, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth", but rather
He taught "When someone strikes you on the left cheek, offer the other side
also". He wants us to be forgiving and loving towards those who hurt us
and not render evil for evil, but instead render good for evil; that your
light may shine and the Love of God show through your life.
(Matthew 5:38-40) (Matthew 5:16)

I encourage you to be like Christ and forgive others if they have done
something wrong against you. When Jesus was on the cross being crucified
by the Roman soldiers for the sins of the world, He prayed on the cross
and said "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." If anyone
had reason to hold a grudge it would have been Jesus, but as our example
He said, "Father forgive them". (Luke 23:34)

Let us have that same love towards others and instead of breaking
friendships, let's forgive and forget and continue to show the love of God
every chance that we have.


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Matthew 5:43-45 Jesus says, "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou
shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love
your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you,
and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye
may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His
sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and
on the unjust."

1 Thessalonians 5:15 "See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but
ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men."

Matthew 6:14-15 Jesus says, "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their
trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

Romans 12:17-21 "Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest
in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live
peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather
give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay,
saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst,
give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

All scriptures can be found in the King James Version.


In Christ Service,

Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry