“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Luke 23:34

“I will NEVER forgive you!” Probably, at some point in time, some of us have found ourselves thinking or heaven forbid… speaking these words in our minds, hearts or at worst . . . out loud for others to hear. When we have been deeply hurt it can feel very difficult . . . almost impossible to forgive. And yet, the ones who have chosen to forgive are set free from the chains of bitterness, pain and regret. When we truly understand that Jesus has forgiven us, how can we not also forgive? Why do we struggle to let go of the bitterness and pain, even while knowing that forgiveness is the only way to truly be FREE?

When creating the mission statement for Be Free Ministry, The Lord blessed me with a mantra that I have recited to myself over and over again that I would like to share with you:  “We believe that FAITH and FORGIVENESS lead to FREEDOM”.

Little did I know at the time that I was about to walk through one of the most painful years of my life that would require me to give “total forgiveness” to others in order to survive and continue to function. Funny thing is, after my baptism, I thought my pain and hurt and the struggle to forgive was behind me. I thought I was ready to be “ALL IN” for Jesus!! But, I had no idea how much my commitment to follow the example of Jesus would be tested . . . almost to the breaking point.

But if you are feeling discouraged remember…

JESUS IS MIGHTY TO SAVE!

BE CONFIDENT

and know that:

“HE WHO BEGAN A GOOD WORK IN YOU

WILL CARRY IT OUT TO COMPLETION

UNTIL THE DAY OF

CHRIST JESUS!”

Remembering the horrific scene of Jesus’ crucifixion and the unthinkable words he spoke from the cross…words full of grace, mercy, forgiveness and love . . . will help us examine our own hearts when we don’t feel we have in it us . . .  to forgive someone who has hurt us. Just try to imagine the scene. Jesus is suffering on the cross. He is literally dying for our sins. He is in unbelievable pain and agony, suffering the most horrible, painful death ever devised by man…and yet, Jesus . . . in that very moment prayed to the Father for forgiveness for US . . . the very people who were in that very moment CRUCIFYING HIM! Even as he hung on the cross

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Truly, forgiveness is “a gift from God” because we could never muster up enough grace, mercy, love, or kindness to come anywhere close to being able to offer forgiveness to others on our own. Only when we recognize the forgiveness Jesus has given us and call on the NAME of JESUS will the chains of unforgiveness to be broken from our lives enabling us to “totally forgive” and Imagine what our world would be like if we all called on the name of Jesus so that we might forgive others as Jesus has forgiven us! And don’t miss the effect of Jesus’s RADICAL FORGIVENESS on the cross! Even the Roman centurion and soldiers who witnessed the “Surely, He was the SON of GOD.”

It is so humbling to remember, that: “While we were sinners, Christ died for us”. I truly believe that if we could see and understand the effects our sin on the front end . . . and the effects our sin would have on ourselves and others, we would NEVER chose to sin. Unfortunately, we don’t have that luxury. Whether intentional or unintentional . . . “We all sin and fall short of the glory of God.”

I will never be able to fully put into words the gratitude that I feel for our loving Savior, Jesus Christ who suffered for our sins on the cross so that we could be forgiven of our sins, overcome the grave and receive eternal glory and salvation! Let us then, REJOICE in our LIVING HOPE: our KING JESUS!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!   In His GREAT MERCY