It is as if we are forced to forgive or else!!!!! The Bible does not teach forgiveness in that manner........ We know that the letter kills but it is the Spirit that gives life. ....... , Without understanding the spirit behind the laws of GOD we die...
.It is the Spirit of LIFE that is in Christ Jesus. ... that has set us free from the "I have to do right, because the Bible says so",.... to our new state that declares... I want to do right and have been given the grace to enable me to do right...... That is evidence of the Spirit of Life coming from Jesus.
Rom 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
2 Cor 3:6
who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Our GOD's motive for forgiveness is not because He has to forgive. ...GOD can do exactly as He chooses.. So why does GOD forgive???????
Ps 86:15
But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth
GOD forgives because HE wants to forgive..... He desires to forgive and because of His great love,... GOD,.... looks for opportunities to forgive.
Our desires should line up with GODs desires if we are indeed saved and now house the very Spirit of Jesus in our hearts.
1 John 4:17
In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world.
Forgiving because we HAVE TO forgive, ... reminds me of going to work everyday but I really would rather not go to work...I simply hate my job .. I must then present this front and pretend...that I have the right attitude when all along..I am only going through the motions. .. The job is not in my heart.. ....it is only the means to earn a living.
As Christians our behavior should not be a front.. we should not do things based on having to do obey GOD because the Bible says so... No not at all... Matured men and women in the salvation experience... want to forgive just as GOD wants to forgive US and because the Bible says so is in my heart by and through the Holy Spirit from GOD ..... .
Look as this example of someone caught in the snare of sin...
John 8:4
they *said to Him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act.
How does Jesus respond...
John 8:10
Straightening up, Jesus said to her, "Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?"
If anyone could have condemned this woman.. it would have been Jesus.. Jesus as we know is sinless... a lamb without spot or wrinkle or any blemish whatsoever...
John 8:11
She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more."]
Praise HIS NAME!!!! Truly it is the kindness and goodness of GOD that leads us to repent... I tell you on that day, this lady was restored to life, she was forgiven.. Can you imagine the relief she felt ..????
Rom 2:4
Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
At any moment GOD is ready and very much desires to forgive us..., He does NOT condemn those of us who seek forgiveness.. He is very near to restore us.. Yes very near... even in our very heart and speech .. If we ask with a sincere heart... MY friends then we are forgiven.
When someone has violated you .. sinned against you in anyway... and they ask for forgiveness do not do it because you have to forgive....
Let it be because... we know that the very act of forgiveness brings life and restoration...
Let it be because we desire to forgive ...
Let it be because we desire to be an extension of Jesus in this world.. looking for the opportunity to forgive.. AND FORGET!!!!..
Is 43:25
"I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins
That's right... remembers your sins no more... no record.. GONE.... and we should treat our brother and sister the very same way...
That old cliche .. I will forgive you but I will never forget...., IS not from the heart of GOD...
Mic 6:8
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God?
