The Power of Forgiveness

~~~ Joshua 3:7-10A, 11, 13-17 ~~~ Psalm 114 ~~~ Matthew 18:21–19:1 ~~~

...know that there is a living God in your midst... 

In our world today it is easy to forget that a living God is among us.

We hear people say 'God is dead'.

The Living God stopped the moving waters of the River Jordan.

The whole nation of Israel safely crossed to the other side...

men, women, children, carts, wagons, livestock.

God allowed for all of them to cross in safety.

His power was made evident so that the people 

could be assured that God was still with them through Joshua.

The power of God was made visible in those days.

The people needed to have confidence;

 they were actually going to a specific destination.

In our lives today we too can draw from the power of God.

When it comes to forgiveness in our life.

The power of forgiveness is right up there with the power of love.

Just as love heals so does forgiveness heal.

...unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.

From his heart...this is where the power of God resides.

Yes, we can say the words of forgiveness to another.

Yes, we can faithfully pray the words of the Our Father.

But forgiveness must be in our heart.

The power of forgiveness is not in the words,

but rather within your heart.

If you simply speak the words, 

but save the offense within your heart

there can be no real forgiveness.

You will know if the power of forgiveness is living

 within your heart

when a previous offense

 no longer causes you pain.

I know this from personal experience.

You must allow the power of God

 to extend forgiveness from your heart.

Even if you cannot say the words of forgiveness until later

it is necessary to forgive in your heart.

Peter thought it would be sufficient to forgive a person seven times.

You may remember seven represents perfection.

But Jesus raises the standard beyond the idea of perfection.

Forgiveness is more than we can expect to accomplish 

unless we have with us the power of the living God.

I invite you to search your heart for those hidden places 

where you cast those whom you really have not forgiven.

We try to hide them away.

We do not think about them every day,

but they are there.

Un-forgiveness is like a rust gradually marring your heart.

Rust, when left alone eventually ruins the metal.

In time the heart will completely disintegrate 

from the lack of forgiveness

Pieces of the heart will flake away, become rough,

less able to love as it should.

Forgiveness is not easy,

it is not something to take lightly either.

Many illnesses can be traced back to a time when hatred 

was allowed to rust away at the heart.

Seek forgiveness from the power of the living God.

His Blessings will remove the rust 

accumulating within your heart

~~~Peace~~~