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Forgiveness and Spiritual Growth
By peace | January 27, 2008
Threefold Forgiveness
Generous and magnanimous minds are readiest to forgive; and it is a weakness and impotency of mind to be unable to forgive. ~ Lord Bacon
Inasmuch as sin is common to man (I John 1:8), we shall ever be called upon to face the problem of imperfection and the need of forgiveness:
1. Forgiveness from God — “Our Father which art in heaven… forgive us our debts” (Matthew 6:9-12)
2. Forgiveness of others — “… as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12)
3. Forgiveness of self – “Forgetting those things which are behind” (Philippians 3:13). Paul forgave himself and reached forth unto better things. The only way to judge a man’s religion is by what it does — “the tree is known by its fruits” (Matthew 12:33). If your religion does not have roots deep enough to tap God and his fruit-bearing power and, in return, produce the godly fruit of forgiveness, then it is too shallow to be worth very much.
A meditative stroll through the cemetery, as John Greenleaf Whittier stated, helps one to forgive: …I strolled among The green mounds of the village burial-place; Where, pondering how all human love and hate Find one sad level… Awed for myself, and pitying my race, depart, Our common sorrow, like a mighty wave, Swept all my pride away, and trembling, I forgave!
Forgiveness and Spiritual Growth
Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.” ~ Romans 12:19
Forgiveness is an exercise in spiritual growth: the more we forgive, the more we grow. Conversely, bitterness makes spiritual growth impossible: when our hearts are filled with resentment and anger, there’s no room left for love.
When we cease to grow, either emotionally or spiritually, we do ourselves and our loved ones a profound disservice. But if we continue to study God’s Word, pray and do our best to live in the center of His Will, we won’t be stagnant. We’ll continue to grow as God intends.
In the quiet moments when we open our hearts to God, the Creator who made us keeps remaking us, He gives us direction, perspective, and wisdom — and He gives us courage to forgive other people. Afterall, judging is God’s job and not ours.
Our relationships with other people are of primary importance to God. Because God is love, He cannot tolerate any unforgiveness or hardness in us toward any individual. ~ Catherine Marshall
Forgiveness
How To Forgive
A Lesson in Forgiveness
Quotes About Forgiveness I
Quotes About Forgiveness II
Mistakes
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