Christ As Healer- Forgiveness

CHRIST AS HEALER 

Forgiveness 

Luke 5:17-26

Opening Prayer: O Lord, give me a heart to forgive as You have forgiven me.  Take my wounds, my pain, and my suffering and redeem them through the cross.  Forgive me for my failure to believe, for unforgiveness I hold in my heart against You or man, and for willful disobedience against You.  Purge me with hyssop, cleanse me of all my iniquities that I might be whiter than snow before You.  Thank You for Your forgiveness through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for it is in His Name that I pray.  Amen.

FORGIVENESS 

Forgiveness is an act of the will, not of feelings or because of the response of others.  Like all sins, the sin of unforgiveness distances you from the Father.  The physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual impact of unforgiveness can become debilitating and, even paralyzing, in your health, your walk with the Him, and your relationships.  Choose to forgive and seek His grace to walk in the light of His forgiveness of yourself and of others, for nothing is impossible with God!

Though others may not repent of their sins against you, the Lord still calls you to forgive them.  Just as Christ spoke these words on the cross “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing,” you too are to forgive others in spite of their unrepentant heart.  Great healing takes place as He blesses your obedience to obey His Word rather than follow your feelings.  Forgiveness is imperative in the light of God’s Truth, not an option.

Consider these scriptures concerning forgiveness:

Ephesians 4:26, 31-32

I Corinthians 9:8 

Matthew 19:26 

Matthew 18:21-22

Mark 11:25 

Luke 1:37 

FAITH AND OBEDIENCE 

Forgiveness is critical in healing.  By holding on to our unforgiveness we diminish our intimacy with the Father and our witness to others about the love and forgiveness of Christ.   When we step out in faith and choose to forgive, our burdens are lifted, we are set free in Him, and others see His love.  In Christ alone we find grace to forgive and by His wounds we are healed. 

The paralytic discovered the power of the forgiveness of Christ as he followed Him in faith and obedience.  As Christ granted him spiritual pardon, he received physical healing through Christ’s forgiveness of his sins.  By faith the paralytic literally walked in the light of that forgiveness and was healed of his physical infirmity.  

How often do we harbor unforgiveness and end up physically ill or emotionally damaged?  Holding grudges against others turns to bitterness and we find ourselves with physical and emotional ailments because of our spiritual unforgiveness.  There seems to be a correlation between spiritual pardon and healing.  Christ calls you to forgive.  Choose to forgive.  

In faith and obedience, I choose to forgive _________________ for ________________.

Fill in the blanks and receive His healing.  

Consider these scriptures concerning faith and obedience:

Luke 5:21, 23-24

Luke 5:17

Matthew 6:33 

Psalm 118:17 

Isaiah 1:19 

Jeremiah 26:14 

Psalm 16:7 

Philippians 4:19 

Acts 5:29 

Colossians 3:2 

Jeremiah 32:7 

FORGIVING YOURSELF AND GOD 

Forgiving yourself is as important as forgiving others.  When you choose not to forgive yourself, you declare that Christ’s sacrifice was not sufficient for your sins.  Because there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, choose to forgive yourself and walk forward with the Lord in the light of His freedom from guilt and shame.  He longs for you to be free to serve Him unhindered by the burden of sin and He died to set you free.  Honor Him by forgiving yourself.  

As strange as it may sound, when necessary, forgive God for His seeming injustices in your life.  Hold no anger, bitterness, resentment or frustration against the Sovereign Lord, Loving God, and Abba Father Who loves you with an everlasting love, for His perfect plan always comes into your life through His sovereign hands of love.  Though you may not understand His ways in your life, He always takes care of His children and works it all together for your good.  What was meant for evil, God will use for good.  Acknowledge your unforgiveness, confess it, repent of it, and walk in the light of His love and forgiveness as you continue to seek His face and do His will.  Remember, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  Is there something that you need to forgive God for? 

Consider these scriptures about love and forgiveness: 

I John 1:9 

II Chronicles 7:14

Romans 8:1

Jeremiah 31:3

Psalm 55:22

Romans 8:28 

Genesis 50:20 

REFLECTING ON GOD’S WORD- What does each scripture say to you? 

Psalm 51:17 

Psalm 103:3

Psalm 36:7

Philippians 4:13 

Psalm 91:4 

Joshua 24:15

I Peter 4:11c

Closing Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for paying the price for all my sins.  Thank You for Your grace to forgive others, myself, and even You, as I am forgiven through You.  I praise You for Your perfect love that never fails and for making me more like You in the midst of it all.  All praise, honor, and glory be unto You, my Lord Master, Savior and Friend.  In Your holy Name I pray.  Amen.