Lately I have been thinking a lot about this subject of forgiveness. I know a man that bears some ill will toward me, and I also know that, knowing the frame of mind he is in, it will do no good to talk with him about the problem. Every time he sees me, he purposefully avoids me, and you can tell that he wishes that I were not there. Some lies were told about me, and the person who told the lies would be believed long before I ever will.

I have considered the fact that often I have done the same things to other people as well. Bitterness, anger, wrath and malice build up. Worship becomes going through the motions, or is even nonexistent because our hearts are not right in the sight of God. I am reminded that our relationship to God is dependent on our relationships to one another (1 John 3:15–4:21).

One thing that helps us in our relationships with others is forgiveness. It is interesting that forgiveness is something that is commanded by God—and the forgiveness of our sins by him is tied to our forgiveness of other’s sins by us. By virtue of the fact that it is a command, it is imperative that we understand that forgiveness is a choice we make in our lives. We CHOOSE to forgive in the same way GOD has chosen to forgive us. Much like the command to love one another, this involves a choice.

Realizing this, it helps us to understand that forgiveness helps the forgiver more than then forgiven. This is why God commanded it. If we refuse to make the choice to forgive, the following things hold true:

We are endangering our immortal souls. Jesus said in Matthew 6:14–15, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Pretty clear, and enough said!

We are endangering the health of our physical bodies. Anger, wrath, malice, hatred, bitterness and resentment all have an impact on our health. It raises our blood pressure and our stress levels. We are in a fight mode at all times and never able to relax and enjoy life as God has demanded.

We are endangering other relationships as well. The anger becomes an all consuming fire that affects everything and everyone in its path. It can and will affect a marriage relationship and others at home.

God made the choice to forgive us! Jesus made the same choice on the cross when he said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

More next week!