No I’m not talking about Faith or Fasting or even Friendship. I’m definitely not swearing (just in case you were starting to panic) The F-word I’m talking about is… Forgiveness.

In this 3-part blog series I want to make some general comments that could help us on our journey in the area of forgiveness.

First, you need to know I am not underestimating the pain, hurt, and brokenness people go through due to of the actions of others, whether deliberate or not.

“If you cannot forgive and forget, pick one.”

“Forgive, forget. Bear with the faults of others as you would have them bear with yours.”

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”

The most miserable prison in the world is the prison we make for ourselves when we refuse to show mercy. Our thoughts become shackled, our emotions are chained, our will is almost paralysed. But when we show mercy, all of these bonds are broken, and we enter into a joyful liberty that frees us to share God’s love with others.

I was recently reading Mark 11:25-26, two very challenging verses. As you read these verses what words stand out to you?

“Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.”

For me, nearly every word stood out!

Whenever…praying…forgive…if…anything…against…anyone…father…your… transgressions…but…not…neither.

Do you see what I mean?

Do you ever feel like you hit a wall when you’re praying?

You know what it’s like. You’re trying to loose faith through your prayer and BOOM you hit a wall. Nothing appears to be happening.

We might be so focused on pushing for a breakthrough that we may even do a bit of fasting without any effect. It doesn’t really matter what we are praying about. But we keep hitting that wall [obstacle].

Galatians 5:6 says the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Faith works through love. Faith can’t work unless we let go of all bitterness and resentment, and walk in love.

Jesus told us that, after loving God, the greatest commandment is to love your neighbour as yourself. (Matt 22:37-39)

There is no way around forgiveness. God has made it essential for every Christian. We all deal with offence at some point, but the greatest hindrance to faith is holding on to resentment.

When my prayers seem hindered, God reminds me to check up on what I sometimes call my “love walk”. Even after suffering arrest, beating, and crucifixion in his last moments of life Jesus cried out, “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34).

How important it is for us to forgive people in our daily lives, even one person several times a day!

I can just imagine when Peter was talking to Jesus, thinking “I will impress him.”

Let’s have a look at Matthew 18:21-22

“‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.’“

I can imagine Peter’s heart sinking as he misses it yet again.

We can’t let our actions toward people be based on what they did or didn’t do to us. Nor can we let our actions be driven by what we think they deserve.

Instead, let’s consider how great a debt of sin God has forgiven us. In comparison, every other offence is small (Matt 18:21-35).

This is not to say we should be a doormat and let people take advantage of us. But we do have to forgive. Turn our hurt into a prayer and stir ourselves up to walk in love.

We are called to impact our culture. The disruption of unforgiveness must not cripple our effectiveness. Christianity has to work where the rubber hits the road. That’s how people will know what we have is real and that Jesus is our motivation.

“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).

My wife Julie says too many people wait to get the right feelings before they do the right thing. When in fact, doing the right thing brings the right feelings.

Don’t wait for our flesh to feel like forgiving. Let’s choose the path of love today.

Let’s use the F word.