FORGIVE!

FORGIVE!

Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. —II Corinthians 2:10-11

Schemer— that is Satan’s focus. He will use anything he can in his plans to take someone down, to knock them out of God’s purposes, to destroy them. Unforgiveness is something that Satan likes to use to create schisms. Unforgiveness divides relationships of all sorts: friendships, marriages, business partnerships… Any relationship that Satan can cause conflict in or destroy, he will.

Forgiving is part of the Lord’s Prayer that Jesus focuses on again in the verses immediately following this prayer. He said, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15). He’s where Satan likes to capitalize on. If he can fuel unforgiveness he knows that, not only will this impact human relationships, but it will also affect a believer’s fellowship with God. Oh, Satan is a schemer and how often does he outwit us in this area of forgiveness?

Is he outwitting you or me at this present time? Is he using unforgiveness in his schemes to affect a relationship with another person? Do you realize that your unforgiveness toward another person is affecting your fellowship with God as well? This is not a good place to be. Forgive that person; get right with them and with God!

Dear Father, please help me to be quick to forgive and to stay in fellowship with You. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus.