Spiritual guidance powered by AI and grounded in Scripture
Your Question:
Can forgiveness truly set us free from the weight of our past when we've been hurt deeply?
Answer:
As a pastor, I've seen firsthand the weight of past hurts that can burden people. Forgiveness is not an easy thing to do, especially when the hurt is deep. But I believe that forgiveness can truly set us free from that weight. Lewis Smedes writes that forgiveness is not about forgetting, but about not holding a person's sin against them. When we hold onto resentment and bitterness, it can imprison us, causing us to become trapped in a cycle of anger and hate. Forgiveness is not a one-time event, but a process that requires practice and effort. We may need to renew our commitment to forgive multiple times, especially when feelings of resentment or bitterness arise. But forgiveness is not just about us; it's also about recognizing the cost that God paid for our forgiveness. The price of forgiveness was the Cross of Christ, and we should never forget that. Forgiveness is a divine miracle of grace, and we should approach it with reverence and humility. As I reflect on my own marriage, I've learned that forgiveness is essential for living by extending grace and forgiveness to people who have sinned against us. My wife, Susan, and I have had to learn to forgive each other for our imperfections and shortcomings. Forgiveness is not easy, but it's necessary for healing and moving forward. When we choose to forgive, we may have to pay the price of our own woundedness, but it's a price worth paying for the freedom and peace that come with forgiveness.
Sources:
introduction biblical ethics
robertson mcquilkin
my utmost for his highest
oswald chambers
sacred marriage
gary thomas
psalms
tremper longman
practicing the way
john mark comer
2 corinthians
colin kruse
acts
r c sproul
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