1 Corinthians 6:9-11

“9. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

By definition, to forgive is stop feeling angry or resentful toward (someone) for an offense, flaw, or mistake. To cancel (a debt).

We all need this from God, others, and ourselves. God freely gives us this desperately needed blessing. We should forgive others as God has forgiven us. Lastly, and sometimes the most challenging, is to forgive ourselves.

Once we repent to God, and ask for his forgiveness from a sincere heart, he does forgive us. He does not even remember it anymore. We, on the other hand, are not always quick to forget. We then torture people who have wronged us, or ourselves with these memories. We bring them up, or a place, thing, smell, song, etc, will trigger the memory, and we being to relive the offense again. If this is you, then you truly have not forgiven.

Just as when God forgives us, he no longer remembers the offense, we must do the same. We must let go of the issue as a whole, especially the details (hurt and pain). As long as we hold on to the memory we cannot truly be free. We continue to bind ourselves and the person who caused it. When we forgive we set ourselves free along with the person(s) who have hurt us.

We all have a past. We cannot continue to hold our past deeds, behaviors, and wrongs against ourselves either. Once God forgives, we must also forgive ourselves. This includes ending the guilt and shame of our past. We cannot allow others to hold us to our past either. Yes, we must accept the blame, yes I did that, said that, caused that, believed that etc. We must have the attitude “But I have repented before God, he has forgiven me. I ask your forgiveness too.” It is up to the other to forgive, or not. Either way, you must forgive yourself.

We all have a past. Even the person you have wronged. You must have an attitude of restoration toward that person. However, you do not have to allow that person to keep you bound to that past because they refuse to forgive. That is between them and God. They may never forgive you, but you can (and should) forgive yourself. Then close the book on that chapter of your life. Move on, but be better than you use to be. Do not repeat those same old behaviors or actions.

We all have a past, but we must let it go to gain the future that God has for us. Freedom is a choice, and it requires strength to receive it by faith, and to maintain it. Not physical strength, but spiritual strength. It is given by God, we receive it by faith through the Holy Spirit, and the word of God. It requires a relationship with God to fully understand and to walk in. But freedom is still ours and is always available to us.

To be bound to the past is also a choice. To do so requires us to refuse what God is trying to do (and give) in our life. Choosing to keep the old, rather then walk in the new. Yes, it is a choice that come with consequences we really do not want. Why not accept forgiveness and all that God has for us?

We all have a past. Even those who would want to hold things against us. We are not perfect, and have done wrong. Even the person(s) who refuse to forgive and forget. We must forgive ourselves and take away the power others would try to exercise over us. We do this by forgetting and letting go of the guilt and shame of our past. Let the blood of Jesus wholly cleanse us, and move on.

Be blessed!