We are no longer under the law of the old testament, but follow the way of Jesus in the new testament. Jesus came from the bosom of God the Father. He is the direct expression of God's love for us. He came to teach and be a model of how we are to exist in this world .(We are in this world, but not of this world) . We are to love one another as Jesus loves us. Jesus also came because of the mercy of God to die on the cross as payment for all of our sins from the beginning (Adam and Eve) until the end.
In Luke 6:27 it says "But I say to you who hear; Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you".Luke 6:31 "And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, do good,and lend, hoping for nothing in return;and your reward will be great,and you will be sons of the Most High, For He is kind to the unthankful and evil, 36 Therefore be merciful,just asyour Father also is merciful
Luke 6:37 Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condem not, and you will not be condemed. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Jesus taught us how to pray when he instructed the disciples with The Lord's Prayer. In that prayer we say (Luke11:4) Forgive us our sins (trespasses) as we (are to) forgive those who sin (trespass) against us. This request asks God to forgives us for the wrongful things we do against Him and others, in the exact same measure proportionally and with the same manner, spirit, & attitude that we extend forgiveness to those who wrongfully do things against us.
When Jesus hung on the cross he prayed and asked God to forgive those who were responsible for and had a role in his crucifixition. (Luke 23:34) Father forgive them for they know not what they do.
How much are we to forgive ? How often are we to forgive? For each individually different sin, trespass, or offense we are to forgive 70 x7 times.
Through love and mercy you release the offender by crucifying or putting to death your feelings of anger, bitterness, and resentment. These are seeds of hatred that you do not want to allow the room to take root and grow within you. They are consuming and self-destructive physically, mentally, and spiritually. So, much more importantly, you save yourself from that bondage and reap the benefit of peace and health.
This is by no means an easy undertaking. You will not feel like doing it .However,it is a choice and in your best interest to do it anyway. This is something that you do not have to go to them to do . You do this within your own heart and mind . You do this between you and God . You go to God in prayer casting your cares and burdens upon Him. Then you pray for and bless that/ those person(s) daily. You may even ask for His help strength and guidance in this .
Does this mean you forget? No, although God does forget your sin as far as the east is to the west. Does this mean that we condone what was done? No, God does not condone or approve of our sins yet He forgives. I do see this as an opportunity for us to be more like Jesus. A way of demonstrating His spirit or nature here on Earth.
More than likely it will take the practice of this act of forgiving, consistently& over time, for it to become the norm and for you to begin to see the benefit in letting go.
Love/Peace/Respect
