How to Live a Way of Life of Forgiveness
“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” (Isaiah 43:25)
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12)
Most of us are familiar with the quote by Corrie ten Boom: “God buries our sins in the depths of the sea and then puts up a sign that reads, ‘No fishing’.”
What a blessed assurance to know that not only our sins are forgiven, but that God has adopted us as His beloved sons and daughters. So, we walk by faith and not in condemnation. Each of us has a God-given destiny to fulfil. Therefore, we press on in this newness of life.
However, we must remember it was the supreme sacrifice of Jesus’ death on the cross that secured our forgiveness (Romans 6:1-2). This will serve as a poignant reminder for us to live our lives purposefully. We are eternally grateful to the Lord for He is our redeemer and the Holy Spirit lives in us to empower us to live in obedience.
As believers we are to love others as commanded. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you (Colossians 3:13).
I quote from Ken Sande’s “The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolve Conflict” (2004) which says that the four ways to practise forgiveness are:
- 1. “I will not dwell on this incident.”
- 2. “I will not bring up this incident again and use it against you.
- 3. “I will not talk to others about this incident.”
- 4. “I will not let this incident stand between us or hinder our personal relationship.”