Benefits of Forgiving

Call To Prayer

By: Njuacha Hubert

Date: 24/10/2022

Title: Benefits of Forgiving

“Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” Hebrews 12: 15

Last week we talked about Forgiveness. We read that God requires us to forgive and He is not making an unfair request but a just one. Because we have received everything in Christ through His son out of His mercy not by works but by mercy (Ephesians 2: 8-9). This life will pass away and the greatest thing is the gift of eternal happiness in Christ. How do you measure that?

Dear friend in Christ, God will never ask you to do what He has not already prepared a blessing for. (Deuteronomy 30:15-16, Hebrews 11:6). Today I would like to share with us 4 benefits of forgiveness (surely there are more).

1. Forgiveness gives us peace of mind.

When we finally forgive and let it into God’s hands. It removes the bitterness we may continue to harbor which grows and grows. Look at the case of Absalom(King David’s son) who killed his brother Amnon. Amnon did a terrible thing by raping his sister Tamar. Absalom harbored the anger for 2 years before finally killing Amnon. Now it was not a good thing Amnon did but Absalom could have done better to confront his brother, seek justice from their father David the king, and then forgive him leaving things in the hands of God who can restore things lost in many ways; like God restored Joseph after the years lost in slavery by raising him to a Governor.

2. Healing our bodies.

Hebrews 12:15 says “Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” When you have unforgiveness, it troubles you and this also affects your health negatively. But by forgiving you set your body to heal and avoid many diseases.

3. Becoming more Christlike

Finally, we become more Christ-like when we forgive. Christ says in Luke 6:36 “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” And He showed this on the cross. Christ was unjustly arrested at age 33, and unjustly beaten and nailed but then on that cross, He said “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23: 24). When we forgive, we are acting like Jesus or acting like our heavenly father. In other words, we are manifesting the glory of God.

4. Can turn an enemy into a friend and form stronger bonds.

Proverbs 17:9 says “If you want people to like you, forgive them when they wrong you. Remembering wrongs can break up a friendship.” (GNT). Everyone admires a long-term relationship be it friendship or marriage but usually it is a product of many instances of forgiveness and reconciliation. When you forgive another, it is such a beautiful gift that can encourage the person to act better or repent.

Truly it is easier said than done but let’s remember that Christ himself showed the example so that it is not like God is asking you something without showing the example. Also, He said we can do all things through Him(Philippians 4:13) so that we too get these benefits. Not to forget the obvious one that, as He said, when we forgive we position ourselves to receive mercy.

Prayer Point: 

Let’s thank God for the word today. Let’s continue to ask God for the grace to forgive from the heart, trusting God is faithful to restore what we lost and can turn even our enemy into a best friend.

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