FORGIVENESS, a word so small and so essential to be practiced by every Christian.

Forgiveness is one of the deepest foundations of Christianity and Jesus is the source of that foundation, for as the Bible says:

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

When Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother for sinning against him, and Jesus replied: SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN.

Matthew 18:21-22 ​Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? ​Jesus said to him, I say not to you, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Jesus wants us to have a merciful and forgiving heart, as is his, to the point where he determines that WE FORGIVE ONE OTHER TIME HOW MANY TIMES IT IS NECESSARY.

Do not forget that Jesus did this to us, as we were estranged and deprived of the glory of God and his mercy and sacrifice allowed our sins and curses to be erased out by Him and as a result we can have communion with God.

Isaiah 53:4-5 Truly he took our infirmities upon himself, and took our pains upon himself; and we regarded him as afflicted, wounded by God, and oppressed. But he was wounded because of our transgressions, and crushed because of our iniquities; the punishment that brings us peace was upon him, and by his stripes we were healed.

Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

It is very sad when I hear from many Christians the demonic expression: I CANNOT FORGIVE.

This feeling of resentment has led many people to a spiritual emptiness and has acted like a GANGRENE or a spiritual CANCER, and little by little it has led people to the loss of God's values, generating dry, bitter, cold and malicious people, because as there is forgiveness, there is a kind of HATE, a FEELING OF REVENGE, and the demonic desire for the worst to happen to other people, as they often consider them as ENEMIES.

Matthew 5:44-48 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

If we do not forgive, Jesus also will not forgive us, and if Jesus does not forgive us, sin and the curse will still be part of our lives and if we do not have forgiveness, we will be condemned to ETERNAL DEATH, which is HELL.

Jesus was clear: Mark 11:25-26 ​And when you stand praying, forgive, if you have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. ​But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Follow Jesus' directions and exercise daily mercy, as He recommended, daily forgiving those who offend you or wish you harm.

Ephesians 4:26 In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

DO NOT LET THE SUN GO DOWN WHILE YOU ARE STILL ANGRY, that is, before the day is over, that your feeling towards your brother, be of mercy and forgiveness, because if YOUR BROTHER WANTS ANY EVIL FOR YOU, HE IS NEEDING JESUS and you must pray for him, interceding with God, that his encounter with Jesus will take place.

Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

Pastor Val Martins