Forgiveness Is a Position Of Victory and Leadership  - Part Two

• Jesus separates the ‘who’ (the people) from the ‘do’ (sin) and says ‘Father forgive them for they know not what they do’. We can choose to forgive the offender as we have been given the power to do so. God forgave me, I can do the same for someone else. Jesus said we are to forgive 70 times 7... He didn't say you don't have to forgive because you don't feel you can.

• In the pain of the offence that is being inflicted on us, we respond in giving by extending forgiveness. This is an added cost to us but puts us into a position of leadership. We have placed ourselves at the head and not the tail, above and not beneath in the conflict situation we find ourselves in.

• Is our goal self protection and rejecting the relationship, or reconciliation which is building relationship?

• We are called to the ministry of reconciliation. Which has benefits for the offender and also for ourselves.

• The sin of the ‘who’ is reconciled.

• The sin of the ‘do’ can have boundaries put on it i.e. a rebuke with a view of correction coming from an attitude of concern and love.

The pain of the offence and the cost of forgiving that offence is a double barrel hit for sure, however the only way to freedom from the control the offence has on our lives is to forgive the offender. When you think about it, the offender may never cross your path again but the pain and injustice you suffer could linger for years if you let it.

It is incredible how many people continue in unforgiveness as they think it's a payback they don't realise the only person they are hurting is themselves! They remain stuck with an event controlling their lives for years to come... it won't magically go away. The anger tank will remain filled and spill over into other areas of life.

Unforgiveness has tentacles that will reach into your family, friendship and work relationships. You will have given the enemy the victory over your life he was looking for by offending you.

Forgiving is a life style commitment.