Forgiveness and Faith are the Two Power Twins
I just cannot seem to get away from the subject of Forgiveness.
In my prayer time today, when I said, “Show me my heart, LORD!” He took me to this Scripture in Mark 11,
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins,” Mark 11:25.
Beloved, there is a real link between Forgiveness and effective Prayer!
In the Scriptures, when Jesus was instructing His Disciples how to pray what we know as “The LORD’s Prayer,” [Matthew 6:5-15] immediately after that, He emphasized the need to release Forgiveness to those who have wronged us!
I looked in several versions of the Bible and I love how the Message Bible presents the scripture Mark 11:22-25.
“Jesus was matter-of-fact:
“Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake’ — no shuffling or hemming and hawing — and it’s as good as done. That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it’s not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive — only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins.”” Mark 11:22-25 MSG.
Notice also there is a link between Forgiveness and Faith when we pray:
“…whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours”, Mark 11:24.
There is another powerful reminder of this in Luke 17:3-5.
It addresses the importance of forgiveness along with our personal responsibility.
“Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.” The apostles said to The LORD, “Increase our faith!” Luke 17:3-5 NASB.
The disciples realized that to live this would require and greater measure of Faith, because when someone has repeatedly hurt us or wronged us, it is not easy to Forgive…..
Beloved, we are no different than the Disciples when this happens. That is our first response — it is not easy!
Jesus’ answer immediately assured them that increased Faith for greater effectiveness in Prayer was not only possible but it was necessary! (Luke 17:6),
As I pondered the Scriptures, I totally concluded once again, that Forgiveness is an act of obedience to willingly get past our feelings and forgive as an act of our will.
Then, as we walk it out, we are healed of our pain.
Job also had to forgive his friends for their wrong judging of him before he could pray effectively for them. (Job 42:10).
As I paused to absorb and fit the word together in my heart, The LORD said, “Daughter, Love never fails and part of True Love, is Forgiving those who have wronged you!
My Word says Faith expresses itself through Love.
So as you express The Truth of Forgiveness, you will embrace My Love to flow like a river to the one who wronged you when you obey My Word.
Then, you will look back at this act of obedience and realize that My Love and Forgiveness brings healing to the one who caused the wrong — as well as the one who received the wrong!
Beloved, I adjure you to take up the weapon of Forgiveness to overcome the world and drive back the forces of evil and darkness at work within it.
A hurt of hatred and judgment is behind the division in the world today, as well as the division in The Church,” says The LORD.
The weapons of your warfare are not carnal, but they are mighty.
Forgiveness brings balance to those who feel as though they are walking a tightrope and are not going to make it through.
As I struggled with Forgiveness with someone close to me, The LORD gave me the Scripture in Proverbs 18 that says,
“A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a castle,” Proverbs 18:19.
If we allow relationships to falter and unforgiveness to rule our hearts, we are not building up the Kingdom of God, and we are not tearing down the kingdom of Satan.
We are actually hindering The Kingdom of God and aiding the kingdom of darkness to cover the earth!
As I repented and forgave as an act of my will, very soon, I began to be healed and had no more bad feelings when I encountered the one who had wounded me.
Obedience is indeed better than sacrifice. (1 Samuel 15:22)
Immediately The LORD spoke, “Daughter, Friendships deserve care and attention.
Do not ever treat them lightly. A true friend is of great value and they are too precious a gift to lose.
Always walk away from unnecessary conflict. If you engage in conflict, you will open the door to the enemy for where there is envying and strife, there is confusion and every evil work.
I AM equipping you to be a Peacemaker and you need to begin to release Peace and Love into every area I send you to.
Let Kindness be your signature when you move forward. Leave others with an act of Kindness,” said The LORD.
~ Sandi Holman
Sandi Holman of Matters of the Heart website was called to The Nations as an End-Time Handmaiden in 1984 and served on staff with YWAM Singapore and YWAM Charlotte in missions. She later experienced a Divine Encounter with The LORD when He came into her Prayer Room and said, “I have come to put a sword in your hand and was given special instructions on how and when to use it.” Sandi is now an Author, Prophetic Intercessor, Seer, Chaplain, Teacher, Speaker, Counselor, Blogger who has also served as an Online Pastor and an Interim Pastor for a Mennonite Church.
Dear Sandi, for sure this series has blessed me. You have brought out many things to edify us. I have read each one and benefited. Also, you have put it all together well. I thank you.
May we ever be examining our own hearts,living and walking in forgiveness. Love & prayers, Joyce. ❤️
Dear Joyce, I cannot thank you enough for your ALWAYS kind words of encourage. I have shared so much about FORGIVENESS, I am beginning to wonder is people are just passing over it and saying OH I KNOW ALL THAT! LOL! But it seems there are so many many some justify unforgiveness and some of the are pointing the finger at someone else to get the spotlight off of their “opinion or justification of their right to disagree”. Nevertheless, the Lord keeps reminding me the Last words of Jesus..and the time He spent alone in the garden before that!!! Our identity and our obedience to Him regarding Love and forgiveness are repeated in so many places in His word. In His love and grace, my sister! Sandi
Sandi, this is so good – both, the Lord’s and yours. I’m in an environment where I do practice the walk away , and it works.
And after we’ve walked in obedience to the molding and shaping, we will come out as pure gold.
Dear Sister Jennifer, I loved your reply to forgiveness and faith..Faith truly is the walking out of all He walked out before us and set the example for those who follow. And yes, I was reminded of the GOLDEN rule as we come out as pure gold when we Do unto others as we woul have the do unto us! In His Love and grace, Sandi
Amen..so true..
You are so faithful in agreement, my friend, Sis! God richly bless you. In His love, Sandi
Sandi when the LORD said “Let Kindness be your signature when you move forward. Leave others with an act of Kindness,” said The LORD. I tell you when you have 2 families living under the same roof and one is rebellious causing strife there are times that I go to my room and cry out to the LORD for peace that surpasses all understanding and I forgive the one that caused the offense and this is happening a lot lately and I know God is in control and I know I am not dealing with flesh but I also know the enemy is not happy with me oh well, he knows what I think about him lol. Hugs my sweet friend, Pamie
Pamie, my dear sister, I have shared much about Kindness over the years and I truly believe it is so necessary if we say we love, kindness will flow in abundance from our hearts. Yes, I can relate to the 2 families under one roof scenario.You need say no more..the enemy seems to work overtime o disturb the peace with disagreements or sometimes just ‘misunderstanding’. Standing with you in agreement for a peaceful common ground to develop soon! In His love, hugs to you, Sandi