Leadership
Published on January 29, 2015
Comments 45

10 Reasons I would never forgive

written by

I hope to capture in a few phrases, the power of forgiveness, the absolute necessity of it and the reasons why forgiving others should be a lifestyle of the believer.

If forgiving others were not a righteous requirement for receiving God’s forgiveness – I would never forgive others.

If forgiveness others were not the soil in which I could grow in holiness and become a bit more like Jesus – I would never forgive others.

If forgiving others were not the right attitude for maintaining my sanity (mental and emotional) – I would never forgive others.

If forgiving others were not the springboard from which a life of momentum, zeal and endurance ensue – I would never forgive others.

If forgiving others were not a testimony, a declaration and a demonstration to the world of how much I’ve been forgiven – I would never forgive others.

If forgiving others didn’t have a positive effect on my physical health – I would never forgive others.

If forgiving others didn’t allow God to bring justice and avenge my cause, in his own time and in his own way – I would never forgive others.

If forgiving others were not an occasion or an opportunity for God to use the evil intended, for good – I would never forgive others.

If forgiving others were not the anointing that breaks the yoke of bitterness – I would never forgive others.

If forgiving others were not the coals burning upon the head of my hatters or the fire burning upon their hearts, drawing them to repentance – I would never forgive others.

So, for all you married people looking for opportunities to get a better spouse, maybe what you really need is to get a little more Jesus, study his life and become a bit more like Him.

For all you church folk hopping from one church to another, looking for the perfect one – hypocrisy free, maybe it’s about time someone told you – “it doesn’t exist.” But Jesus does – so look to him.

Finally, for all of you, who have underestimated the power of forgiveness, it is a force to reckon with. It’s the cry from the cross – “Father forgive them, they know not what they do.” It is a charge for which we fight the good fight. It is a gift freely received and freely returned.

As you can see, there are zero reasons not to forgive!

This entry was posted in: Leadership
Tagged with: , , , , ,

by

There are three things I think about every moment of everyday... they consume me deeply. How to: 1. Refine my theological understanding 2. sharpen my ethical rigor 3. and heighten my devotional intensity. These are the things I write about. Welcome you to my blog... Join me on this incredible journey of exploration and discovery of all the things God has in store for His children. Join by following or subscribing. I appreciate your thoughts, comments and friendship. Walter

45 Comments

  1. Aquileana says

    Forget & Forgive, as the motto goes…
    Forgiveness is so important… And yet people get confused… they think that it is related to Pride and sometimes feel powerful for not forgiving… It is sad when it happens, especially when a friend acts this way… I thank you for this thought-provoking post, Walter. A great reading! ⭐ Best wishes, Aquileana 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Judy Boozer says

    You could add one more – if forgiveness weren’t the only way to truly be free from the pain by letting God close enough to heal me – I would never forgive.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • walter bright says

      Hey Judy
      That is powerful…!
      Consider it added.
      I realized that there is no end to that list.
      I hope readers could leave an addition like yours.
      Thanks for adding value to the post by your comment.
      See you on your blog.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. Planting Potatoes says

    Another righteous message from the pulpit! My favorite “reason” is: “If forgiving others were not a testimony, a declaration and a demonstration to the world of how much I’ve been forgiven – I would never forgive others.” I know I have the wife God intended for me – now I just spend my days praying he would help me be more worthy of the biggest blessing of my life!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. realchange4u says

    Pride will keep us from forgiving others. I have been going through the process of forgiving a neighbor. I have already forgiven him.It is a process though. I have to and want to let Jesus do this for me and through me. All of your points are so true. Lack of forgiveness is murder to both parties. It takes life from us. Thank you for this post.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • walter bright says

      Forgiving your neighbor is honoring to God. Though it is sometimes difficult to do, when done, it is a liberating force. Thanks for your courage to go the extra mile. I know God will honor that. Thanks for blessing me with your testimony!

      Like

      Reply
  6. christinewjc says

    So beautifully stated!

    In the past when I found it difficult to forgive someone who wronged me, it was my being – gut, conscience, soul, personality, spirit – that suffered. When I let go and forgave the person, it was like a giant weight was lifted off right at that moment!

    Thanks for this terrific post!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • walter bright says

      I know that feeling. I have have experienced the same “wasting away of my bones.” But I also know the freedom that comes from power of forgiveness. I agree with you – it is way better.
      I’m blessed by your feedback… Thanks!

      Like

      Reply

  8. Pingback: 10 Reasons I would never forgive | A disciple's study

  11. pruning the twig says

    I was just talking about this with a dear friend of mine last night. I love how the Lord works in perfect timing and this is such an encouragement and a confirmation to what is in my heart. Bless you Mr. Bright 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  12. mrsmariposa2014 says

    Insightful words indeed. Needed ones. I have experienced both what is to forgive much, and be forgiven much. I can attest personally to its power.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  13. altruistico says

    I am about to reach the age of 65 …… and in all of these years I can not imagine the amount of times I have been in a position where I have had to forgive others. Trouble is I waited until my latter years in order to do so…… I do not regret the forgiving of other – I do, however, regret all of the years of which passed before I brought myself to do so. For years I carried around the burden of not telling others I was sorry….. and seeking their forgiveness. There becomes no greater burden to self than to deny oneself forgiveness.

    I hope that others will see that forgiving others is important in God’s eyes. But we need to understand too that forgiveness of ourselves is as important to God and our overall peace of spirit as forgiving others. Even after being forgiven for sins of my life – I found it hard to forgive myself….. God requires we let go of our past…… For truly we become a new creature, born again in Christ. If He can forgive us then we should find it in ourselves to forgive ourselves; just as He has done.

    May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you and yours.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • walter bright says

      Wow!
      This is precious. And I am truly blessed to hear your story – “I do however regret all of the years which passed before I brought myself to forgive.” I celebrate with you the liberty of forgiving others and also of forgiving self. Really precious! Thanks a Million for sharing!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • altruistico says

        I thank you, Walter, for your thought and kindest of words.

        I think, in these times we now live, as Christians leave the church, there is a very genuine need for personal testimonies. Without personal testimony how will the unbeliever ever come to know the awesome power and forgiveness of God?

        It is personal testimony that sets aside Christian Faith from all other forms of worship and religion…

        May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless you and your ministry…..

        Yours in Christ;
        Michael

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  15. Dave Small says

    Thanks Walter — great post!

    My favorite: “If forgiving others were not the springboard from which a life of momentum, zeal and endurance ensue – I would never forgive others.”

    We understandably approach forgiveness as something we “have to do”, yet it is really something “we get to do”.

    Like

    Reply
    • walter bright says

      Wow! Well said, “we understandably approach forgiveness as something we have to do, yet it is really something we get to do.” I like that very much!

      Like

      Reply
  20. galeweithers says

    Reblogged this on Living Life Day by Day … and commented:
    Do you find it easy to forgive? Or do you hold that person deep in your heart for ever and ever? If you do forgive, are you able to truly move on? Or is it more like a see-saw type of up and down emotional roller coaster where you find yourself saying: “Well I forgive you but …”
    Loving your neighbour as yourself is hard, forgiving someone who wrongs you harder still. This post is very tongue-in-cheek but it hits home and is something to think about as we continue to look ahead.
    Blessings!

    Like

    Reply
  21. galeweithers says

    One word to describe this post: “BOOM”! Spot on dear Walter and must share with my readers because it’s so what most of us need to hear today. Thanks for the uplift (and the smile) 😀

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

Leave a comment