March 31, 2021

FORGIVENESS EQUALS FORGIVENESS

©2002 Anna M. K. Hazen

Here is a difficult topic for just about everyone I know. I hope it is a blessing to you and helps you to overcome the problems we all face with forgiveness. It is kind of long, so bear with me please! =D


Emotions are strange. But bad emotions are easy to figure out. Emotions, like anger, fear and resentment result from one simple thing – unforgiveness. That’s all. Period. But not the end of our discussion. These emotions are caused by unforgiveness of sin that was committed against us, or some sin we have committed against someone else.

Sin is sin in God’s eyes no matter what it is. If it is against God’s commandments, it is sin. Anything that is not of God is sin. We were born into it through the sin of Adam and Eve’s disobedience to God’s commandment for them not to eat off of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? (Note how he changed the word of God)

:2-3 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

When did God say that? Take note that the woman also changed the Words of God. She, in her attempt to match wits with the serpent, added “neither shall ye touch it”. (This, God did not say.)

:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

He was speaking truthfully, using what God said, while at the same time, undermining God’s Word, as far as the immediate physical death, and they would know the difference between good and evil… but not as God knows it.

:6-8 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes (lust of the eyes), and a tree to be desired to make one wise (pride of life), she took of the fruit thereof (lust of the flesh), and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

:9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

:10 And he (Adam) said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

:11 And he (God) said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

:12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. (He immediately put the blame on his wife.)

:13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. (She tried to shift the blame onto the serpent)

:14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, (God would not allow the serpent to speak at all – for there was none left to blame or accuse) Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life

Adam and Eve never realized that they were naked until they disobeyed God. And the Glory of God that was their covering left them, so they hid from Him out of fear. Now, because of their sins of disobedience, we, as their descendants, are born into it through their blood-guiltiness. God had to sacrifice the life of an animal in order to use its skin to make a covering for them, because they had lost their holy covering: God’s Shekinah Glory. That skin was the first blood sacrifice. It is because of that skin, that blood sacrifices became “the norm” of service to God.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Proverbs 6:16-19 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

God knows everything we do, whether in the open or in secret. You cannot hide anything from his all seeing eyes.

Matthew 10:26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

Luke 12:2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

:16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

Psalms 94:11 The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.

Isaiah 55:7-11 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

John 12:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

He loved us so much that he gave his life for our forgiveness: For our redemption.

John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

Jesus did not change God’s law and commandments, but He explained that when you do love your neighbor as much as you love yourself, there will be no room for sin.

Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets

When you fill up a glass with water, when it is full, there is no more room to put any more water into the class. When you fill up your heart with the love of Jesus Christ, there is no room for the enemy, the accuser, to come in and encourage you to sin.

Sin causes lower self-esteem in the person (a child, for instance) to whom the sin is committed against, and the person that is doing or has done this sin, (for example, the parent was driving the child to disobedience and anger by not teaching him rightly, or abusing him to that point of rebellion). At this point, sometimes, we are afraid to turn to God because we think He will not listen to, nor help us. This is where people are so wrong; because it is WHEN we turn to God, that we get the help we so desperately need. When we turn to His Word, we can get the direction and guidance we need to change the situations or circumstances that we get ourselves into.

Proverbs 3:1-4 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

:9-10 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

:11-12 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Unless we can forgive all who have offended us, ask forgiveness from those whom we have offended – including ourselves (thereby building self-esteem), we will not – cannot be forgiven by God.

To forgive means to give up resentment against, or the desire to punish; to stop being angry with; to pardon completely. When you change your feelings from hatred, resentment, and animosity to love; you are covering a multitude of your own sins, and eliminating them because you have forgiven. Our attitudes and moods, along with those of the other person, change completely. When we do nice things for people who have hurt us, we are actually “heaping coals, of fire upon their heads”.

This is an ancient eastern custom: In the villages, there was a main bon-fire where the servants would go and fill up baskets with coals, then take them to their master’s home. The warmth from these coals, kept the servant warm and feeling good, in those chilly morning hours as he/she walked back.

1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity (love – in the renewed mind, in action) among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

In other words, as you do good things for others, God will bless you in return.

Ephesians 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God

:19-21 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

This means that you will cause them to think differently – better about you.

James 5:20 Let him know, that he which converts the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

And they will want to do also for you, instead of causing more strife.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Satan, the enemy, influences us to have “bad moods” and uses these moods and feelings to get us to sin against God, as well as man. Then, he goes to God and accuses you of being like that!

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour

When we argue and fight or cause someone (or ourselves) harm, we could consider that we are doing the same things to God. He is our creator. He created us in His image which is Spirit. And God wants to pour out his mercies on us every morning! This is His will. This is His plan for us.

Lamentations 3:22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassion’s fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

:24-26 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Forgiveness is another proven evidence of God’s mercy and grace. All throughout His Word, God shows us why we must forgive: Because He forgave us first. Not because we ask Him to, but because He wants to!

Matthew 6:14-15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

The definition of mercy is: a refraining from harming or punishing offenders and enemies; kindness in excess of what may be expected or demanded by fairness; forbearance and compassion; forgiveness.

Psalms 136:1
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.

3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.

4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.

5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.

6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.

7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:

8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:

9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.

10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:

11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:

12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.

13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:

14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:

15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.

16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.

17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:

18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:

19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:

20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:

21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:

22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.

23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:

24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.

25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.

26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Even when we are still in sin, when we asked God, He will give us full pardon! But, as I said before, it is not because we ask Him, but because He loves us and wants to.

What we need to do first, is accept Jesus Christ into our hearts and lives, and learn to serve and obey him and His commandments. Then, He will shower us with His loving-kindness!

Isaiah 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel (this includes those Gentile believers) be justified, and shall glory.

Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

His grace is quite sufficient enough for us when we obey Him… out of love… and not need or greed.

The definition for Grace is: a disposition to grant something freely (like pardons); it is good will, privilege granted and a sense of what is right and proper; kindness, pleasing, agreeable. These are all God’s attributes toward us when we asked his forgiveness of any sin. And truly mean it with all our heart. Not “half stepping” or thinking we can “bribe” God into it: “I’ll do this, if you will do this”.

Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Ephesians 2:2-10 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his work-manship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

We are fighting a seemingly never-ending war against the enemy and must always be ready for battle.

6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

2 Timothy 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Do not lose hope, Beloved of God. We have the best reward coming to us in the end.

1 Thessalonians 4:6-8 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despises, despises not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

:9-12 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

:13-18 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (precede) them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Revelation 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcome shall not be hurt of the second death.

2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcome will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he that receives it.

:26-29 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

:6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

9-10 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

:20-22 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

21:7-8 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Ephesians 6:12-18 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

We may be in a waging war against Satan, but God has already won it when Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself for our sins and redemption.

Hebrews 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Jesus, the Christ, willingly suffered an illegal trial with cruel mocking, and scourging, and died a torturous death on the tree at Calvary; but took to the grave and left there, all our sins and the pain that others caused us. Even now, no longer does the enemy have dominion anywhere. He knows this; that he has already lost the war; he knows his end will come. Now, we must certainly be alert and aware, because he will try to come in and cause us to get into fights, steal, kill, destroy others lives’ by adultery, murder, and sex sins. He will try to deceive as many as he can, to drag their souls with him, at the final judgment of God (Revelation: all).

Jesus, while hanging on the tree at Calvary, in His pain and sorrow, still had the love of God so much for all mankind, that He pleaded with God to “forgive them, for they do not know what if they are doing” to themselves. Now, this is the absolute ultimate forgiveness!!!

John 3:14-18 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Throughout the New Testament, Jesus is seen forgiving sinners, being an example for us to forgive people who have hurt us. Jesus did some serious renewing of his mind, I tell ya! He could have, very easily, changed his mind and gone on up into heaven, with His father and said, “hey, why should I sacrificed my blood for those disobedient, rebellious humans?” But, no, Jesus loves us that much, that He was willing to die for us, in our place. He loves His Father so much, that He chose to obey Him and go through with it, and redeem us to Himself, that He did His Father’s will so that those who accept Him as Lord of their lives will be delivered from the judgment to come.

Jesus did not do anything wrong, yet mankind killed Him by our disobedience! And now you say you cannot forget a stupid, simple, forgivable sin that another human committed against you? You had better think twice about that – and real soon. Especially if you expect God Almighty to forgive you for stealing that money from your mother’s purse when you were a little boy/girl; or for fornicating with that boy/girl at school and you were not married; you got her pregnant, remember? You fathers who left your children’s mothers to fend for themselves without your financial or moral support, while you were running around with another woman/man, do you really expect God to forgive you for this, and you have not forgiven your friend for taking your car and crashing it in a drunken stupor and killing those people at the crosswalk? Think about these things, Beloved, And then go. Go ask that person to forgive you and then, run to God almighty and fall down and your knees, crying out to him to forgive you for all those sins you have committed against Him. Go to Him and asked Him to help you. There is nothing too big for God and nothing to small for Him to handle, if we just put our trust in Him and let it go.

After all, He created the universe! Know that He will not put on us anymore than we can handle when we trust Christ Jesus as our mediator. Only He can go to the Father in our stead, as he did on the cross. He did it on Calvary’s cross for you, He will do it now, when you ask Him to. Not because you ask, but because He wants to – Jesus is our Lawyer, and He has never lost a case.

Once you have done all this, (sigh) you can feel good knowing that you did what God wants you to do – obey. Now, another VERY important step… forgive yourself. Yes, you read me right, forgive yourself. When you forgive yourself, another process occurs. This is the process of self cleansing. Emotions become calm, attitudes become relaxed and peace is yours – inside and out. Trust me, I know!!! Been there, done that, got over it, moved on. You can too. Try it, I guarantee that you will really loved it!!!

There is a story in the Bible about a woman caught in the act of adultery. (The earliest manuscripts and many other ancient witnesses do not have John 7:53 – 8:11, and this writer does not yet know who put it here or why, but it serves as an excellent example of Christ’s authority of forgiveness and is still in the Bible which is considered to be God’s Word. This is one instance where we must pray and ask God to bestow us with His wisdom.)

John 8: 1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

:3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,

:4-6 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

:7-8 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

:9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

The scribes and Pharisees brought to Jesus, a woman that they must have been stalking and watching very carefully. How else would they have known that she was committing the sin? They had to have been watching her closely in order for them to know what she was doing and where she was at that time and at what place they found her, in order to catch her in the act. And when they confronted Jesus with this “problem” it was only to put him “on-the-spot”; and when he told them “whoever of you is without sin, cast the first stone”. They had to think about that for a moment. The Bible says in verse 9 “and they which heard this, were convicted by their own conscience, and left, one by one, beginning at the eldest (supposedly the wise ones) unto the last: and Jesus and the women were left there alone”.

I can imagine the woman standing there with Jesus, in awe of what just happened. When Jesus stood up and saw no one there but the woman, He possibly shrugged his shoulders and looked at her softly, and said, “where did everybody go? Didn’t anybody want to throw stones at you and kill you?” The woman tearfully said, “no, Sir”. Then Jesus possibly took her in his arms and gave her a tender, brotherly hug and said, “well then, neither do I. Go, and don’t do it anymore”. Talk about an awesome court case!

Some have speculated that the woman, being pulled out into the street (being caught in the very act of adultery), was naked. This may well be true. After all, the devil was only trying to trap Jesus and used the Pharisees and scribes, along with the nakedness of the woman (putting her to even more shame) to do it. He didn’t care about covering her before yanking her out into the street. All he cared about was tempting Jesus, nothing more, nothing less. But, when Jesus told them, “whoever has never sinned, go ahead and kill her “, their consciences went berserk, because they all knew they were not perfect. One of them (or more) had probably gone to bed with the woman, themselves! That may be why they left, also. She was a prostitute, after all. My point is this: ALL have sinned and come short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23).

Knowing the sins that we have committed (no matter how “small” or “big”) how can any of us condemned another? God tells us that we are not to judge each other, but we are to encourage each other to live a life that is right in God’s eyes. If we were to judge ourselves first, there would be no room to judge anyone else. We are to encourage one another, and help each other to get out of the sins’ we are in and help each other to stand on the commandments of God, rather than man.

I heard a preacher gave this story during a revival a few years ago. I will try to tell it the best way I can remember it:

“During the Second World War, many men were drafted (some against their will), and sent overseas to Germany to fight. Among those drafted was a chief leader of an American Indian tribe from Michigan. He was a great leader, full of spirit, a very proud man; able to lead his people with wisdom and integrity.

During the war, he was captured and sent to a prisoner of war camp. The Nazis there, noticed that his skin color was different than those of the other white men – more redder; and so figured him to be “as sub-human as the Jews” they had captured. So they dragged him off to another camp where other Jews were imprisoned. They beat and tortured him and then nailed his feet to the floor where he was imprisoned, so he couldn’t escape. This last act crippled him. Here was a man that had been so full of life and vigor; ready to take on anything or anyone that came against them. Now here he was, nailed to the floor of a prisoner of war camp cell with no way of escape. Here, even though he was nailed to the floor, he was constantly getting beaten and mocked. One nazi came by each evening and shoved maggots and turkey gizzards down his throat! This went on until the end of the war in 1945.

When the war finally ended, and all the P.O.W’s were released, this broken, spiritless, Indian was taken to an American Hospital, where he was told he would never walk again. He was treated, given a pair of metal braced crutches, released and sent on his way. He could not walk, but had the crutches to helped drag his crippled legs behind him as he went along.

As this former leader of his people staggered his way home alone, he thought to himself, “I will never be able to help my people again. I cannot do anything, especially lead them as I used to”. He came to be very depressed so that his countenance became dark and lonely. He felt empty. He had lost everything; his home, his family, his pride and leadership in the community. What would he do now? He felt like dying. He had nothing to live for anymore. Surely his people would reject him. He had been gone for so long.

As he was nearing his home, yet while he was still a great distance off, the men of his tribe, saw him coming and began running to him. Getting closer to him, they noticed his poor countenance. He had gotten into such a state of depression. The leader ran into him and picked him up, swung him around, laughing and shouting that they were glad to see him, and carried him the rest of the way home. He sat him down in the meeting circle. As they smoked their evening pipe, they all sat silently watching him. After a while, the leaders spoke up, “Tell us your story. Tell us where you have been these past years. And how you came to be like this. How did you come to lose your spirit?”

They all listened quietly as he told them his story about the comrades he had fought with and how he had been captured, tortured and how the enemy had nailed his feet to the floor of the cell in which he had been imprisoned. And then he told them how one of the Nazis had forced maggots and Turkey gizzards down his throat. The men listened solemnly he told them how he had lost his spirit and everything else with it. He told them that he could no longer be a great leader of the tribe and that he was not able to do anything. His life was nothing anymore. He told them to cast him out of the tribe like an old woman, he was useless to them.


After they heard him, they looked at each other and then back at him. The leader picked him up and took him to his tent. “You wait here for us”, he told him. “We will discuss your future. I will return for you when we are finished”. And he left the tent, closing the door flap behind him.

Through the screen the Indian could see them discussing him in turn, shaking their heads. Every once in awhile, one or more would turn to look at the tent where he was waiting. After several hours, the chief came with the others into the tent. He picked up the Indian and carried him out of the tent. As they were walking, the warrior asked, “where are you taking me?” “To get your spirit back”, said the chief. He carried him to the nearby river and, as they all gathered around, he told the Indian, “go get your spirit back”, and they threw him over the hill into the cold water.

As he was falling into the water, the man shouted out, “no! Help me!” This crippled man, who had once been one of the leaders of his tribe, was going to drown in the icy waters of the river. “Find your life spirit!” The men on the bank shouted to him. “Then come back to us”. Then they sat on the ground and watched him.

Not able to use his feet or legs to swim to shore, he struggled to keep afloat the waving waters. Grasping for air and struggling to keep above water, he shouted out to his spirit to come back to him. Then, as he began to fade in and out of consciousness, a vision of a man who had forced the maggots and turkey gizzards appeared before him. “Forgive this man”, a voice said to him, “I cannot forgive him!” he shouted. Suddenly he went underwater.

When he bobbed back up over the water level, sputtering and gasping for air, he saw the vision again. “Forgive this man!” the voice said again. “I cannot forgive him!” He shot back. He went under the water again. This time when he came back up, the vision appeared to him again of the Nazi man. “Forgiven this man”, the voice again. “Okay!” Said the dying man. “I forgive you, I forgive you!” “Thank you!” said the soldier. “It was all I could find to feed you to keep you alive!

Suddenly the Indian began to have feeling in his legs and feet. An electrical current seem to be going through him. As he tried to move his legs through the icy waters, he was able to swim slowly. As he moved, he began to feel strength and energy and vibrancy in his body as he swam to shore. When he got to the bank, those who were still sitting there watching him, ran to the water to help him out. He didn’t need any help. His legs were healed and his strength renewed.

He is now one of the most strongest preachers and witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ in America today!!!”

Sometimes, God sends people in our paths to bless and help us, even if we think – because of the way it looks, that they are “out to get us”. It may look to us that nothing is going right and that someone, who is seemingly doing everything very wrong to us, like that soldier, is trying to kill us or something. But to teach us and help us, God puts these people in our lives. It is really for our benefit.

Am I touching you? I hope so.

My ultimate goal is to get you to realize that none of us are perfect. Ever since Adam’s fall, we are all born into sin. There is no escape. The attitude we carry with us during our lives should be one of forgiveness and mercy. Not hatred and animosity. Just as God, by Jesus Christ, forgave us and gives us new mercy’s every morning.

Now, right now, search your heart. If there is any action or sin that you have done in your life, that you know you have not been forgiven of, or you have not forgiven others of, do so right now. Get down on your knees and beg God’s forgiveness for those sins. If you are not able to reach the people that have been affected by your sin, ask God to do it for you. He can do it. He will give them a peace, and knowing that they have been forgiven and that you accept their forgiveness. But you must ask God to do it for you. It would be better if you would do it yourself, as this would build up your own spiritual self esteem, and clear the air between you and the other person.

Now, forgive yourself. You know you have sinned against God and man; don’t ignore your own feelings in this. Feelings of guilt and shame can tear down a person’s self esteem worse than anything. Know that, when you accept Christ Jesus into your life, and ask His forgiveness, you are once and for all forgiven of all your past sins. If God can and will forgive you, certainly you can forgive yourself. There is no reason not to now. God loves you so much! But He wants you to worship Him in love and in truth.

1 John 1:5-7 This then is the message which we have heard of HIM, and declare unto you; that God is light, and in HIM is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with HIM, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth. But if we walk in the light, as HE is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Christ Jesus, HIS son cleanses us from all sin.

:8-10 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make HIM a liar, and HIS word is not in us.

Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father, will also forgive you. But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.

God gave Israel 10 basic commandments to follow (to teach us that we do sin, and what those sins are); and when we become born anew in Christ Jesus, we are to follow these basic commandments by obeying the two that Christ gave before his death.

The 10 Commandments that God gave are:

Exodus 20:
1st vs 2-3
I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

2nd vs 4-6 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

3rd vs 7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

4th vs 8-11 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day (our “Saturday”) is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

5th vs 12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. (See also my message Worthy of Honor)

The question is, Parents, are you deserving of the honor commanded to be given you by your children? If not, then go to them and ask their forgiveness. Together, you and the children can work through the difficulties, and arrive at a new relationship in Christ. If possible, come up (together) with a simpler set of rules and ways of discipline. But at the same time, do not give in to their every whim and thereby spoiling the children. In otherwords… don’t go from one extreme to the other. Teens are a bit more of a challenge… I know… but remember, you were a teen at one time also… and can share with them what things to avoid and what to “go with”. Remember the mistakes you made and help them to that point where they will not make the same ones… thereby breaking the chain and generational curses running through the family.

6th vs 13 Thou shalt not kill. (this includes abortion and suicide)

7th vs 14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Fornication – or any kind of sexual relations outside the confines of marriage)

8th vs 15 Thou shalt not steal. Includes shoplifting and “borrowing” things without asking the person to whom the item(s) belong.

9th vs 16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Don’t lie about someone to appease a neighbor, friends or court or anyone else.

10th vs 17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s. This is obsessive desiring to possess something belong to another.

There are 7 things that the Lord absolutely abhors:

Proverbs 6:16-19 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations (perversions), feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

On animal and homosexualism (“transgender”):

Leviticus 20:13-16 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you. And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast. And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

About abortion:

Exodus 21:22 If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman’s husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.

Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Jesus combined all these commandments that God gave Israel and made only 2 from them…

Matthew 22:36-40 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

…because when you truly love and stand on the promises of God Almighty, you will (should) not have any desire to disobey any of the others…

1 John 5:3-4 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous (not hard to obey). For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Ephesians 6:12-13 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (governments, employers of corporate business, etc). Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

God made it very simple for us because of His love for us. And we need to constantly remember that God knows everything we see, think and do in our lives. There is not one thing that can or will be hidden from His all knowing and all seeing eyes. He will bring out, into the open what we think no one will find out about.

Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

So, when someone comes up to you and tells you something he’s done and tells you not tell anyone, what do you do? You are bound to keep what he or she told you confidential. You know you would not want anyone to tell someone else your sins, so you will keep this in, unless it is so serious so as to cause someone else serious harm, like murder or larceny or such in which case you know you should tell the authorities. Jesus tells us about about things hidden too.

Matt 10:26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

You can’t hide ANYTHING from God!

But even with all this, we still fall into the influences of temptation and sin. We sometimes hurt even our most beloved ones.

Mark 4:22-23 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

Luke 12:2-3 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

Now that we have covered basically what we are not to do, I want to get into what to do when (no if’s about it) we fall under the influences of the enemies of God and us – Satan and his minions.

Most people (and I, admittedly, was one of them) run, immediately away from God, out of fear because they know they have done wrong), and will try by any means they can, on their own without God, to get out of the situation they’re in, up to and including suicide. I’m not sorry, my friends, it will not work. There is only one way out of every situation, God’s way: confession and forgiveness. The enemy would have you turn your back on God and take care of the situation yourself. If you try to do it alone, without God’s help, it will fail. You’ll only get yourself in deeper and deeper. The enemy is tricky. He will try to influence you to sin one way or another. And sooner or later, if you let down your guard of the Holy spirit, he will get you to sin.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Confession means to tell or make known (as something wrong or damaging to oneself or another). To admit what you have done. People say “I confess. . .” But they do not admit what sin it is they have committed. This is not true confession. God tells us to confess our faults one to another; which means to tell what it is you did wrong. And when we are forgiven, we are wholly remitted or released from guilt or penalty of our sins. It does NOT mean to confess to a priest in a confessional behind closed doors… but to the one you have offended and to God and to yourself.

The Webster’s dictionary definition for forgiveness is: to cease to feel resentment against (an offender). To pardon. To give up resentment of or claim to requital. To grant relief from payment of.

Confessing all our sins (this is admitting that we realize we are faulty humans!), and forgiveness, are two of the hardest of all things for any human being to do. I don’t care who you are, or what your position is in society, there is something that someone may have said or done to you, that you cannot forget and may not have forgiven them for. Or it might be something that you have totally forgotten about, or thought that it was such a small thing; nothing to “get your dander up for”. After all, and they say time heals all wounds, but this is not altogether true.

You see, because of your unforgiving heart, you have allowed the enemy to devour your spirit. You have allowed the enemy to steal from you, a relationship that could have been restored to as good as new, had you forgiven them. Now, your body is getting sick physically, because of your unforgiving heart. It is being eaten away from the inside. It is like a cancer that will not heal. Cancer is an illness caused by sin, one being unforgiveness. I am here to warn you to forgive whoever has done ought against you, before you sing one more word of praise to God. I am here to tell you that your words are empty words to God, if you have unconfessed sin and unforgiveness in your heart for even the smallest thing.

Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

25-26 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

We cannot truly worship God when we have this sin in our subconscious. God will not hear our prayers, nor our praises unless we confess our sins and forgive those who have sinned against us.

John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Isaiah 29:13-15 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?

Matthew 15:8-9 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

I realize that sometimes, this may extremely be hard for some of us to do: maybe next to impossible. But you still have to do it. With God nothing is impossible. Perhaps a person has moved away even passed away. Or, for you to bring up the problem, would cause the hurt again (opening up semi-healed wounds). Nevertheless, you must have that offense forgiven: even if only in your heart, between you and God. The Bible says in:

Luke 6:36-38 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

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

So we are commanded by Jesus to forgive if we expect God to forgive us for even the “littlest” sin. Even if just to clear the air for you and make peace with the other person and yourself. Do you think that God sent His only begotten Son to die for nothing? You actually believe that His Word doesn’t mean anything for you? Well, Beloved, God’s Word stands better and stronger than yours or mine ever could.

Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

2 Timothy 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

God proves to us that: when we forgive others of stealing our friends (close or not) away from us, or whatever they did against us, He will forgive us: when we forgive the neighbor down the street for gossiping about us, He will forgive us, when we forgive our spouse for cheating on us (God certainly did forgive Israel numerous times), He will forgive us. When we forgive the adult that abused us when we were children, He will forgive us: or the driver of that car who hit your little boy or girl as he was crossing the street on his way home from school, and drove off as if nothing had happened. The boy was only 4 years old, and didn’t even understand what happened to him. You had to spend hours in the emergency room with him, not knowing how it was going to turn out. All of while shouting out to God “why?” Hard as that is, we still absolutely must forgive that person. I know how next to impossible that may seem.

I have been a victim more than my fair share of times, in all those types of situations. Yet, with the help of my Jehovah-Jireh, my El-Shaddai, my Adonai, my God, I was not only able to completely forgive those who had hurt and devastated me and my family to the point of numbness, but was also able to get over my self-pity. Which, by the way, it is a very real and serious sin of selfishness. The last time the situation happened, I said, “forget it. If God loves me so much, why would He allow such things to happen?” And I blamed Him for allowing it to happen to me! and I turned my back on him – YET HE NEVER LEFT ME! I allowed myself to be influenced by the devil and thus got into worse sin.

We have to look at ourselves through God’s eyes, and see the big picture as He does. He knows how things will end.

I began drinking wine coolers and beer – nothing hard; and (I thank God that it lasted for only a few months), I got into a sinful relationship that was totally wrong on all sides and even the Angels of God had come to me and warned me about that; but out of spite, because of what had happened to me and my family, I ignored them. (God, in His mercy, also got me out of that to). But I didn’t care what happened to me at that time. And then the devil try to get me to take my own life, several times. I was selfishly at my lowest esteem possible. I thank God again, for my chicken heart and my children coming in at just the wrong moment. I believe God timed their coming home from school or dating or whatever, at that time, deliberately for my own good.

The point I’m trying to make is for you to let it go! And forgive! If you don’t, the enemy will try to get you to destroy your own life, which will also hurt others. One sin leads to another, and that sin leads to another and another and another, until you’re either dead or you realize what’s happening and stop in your tracks (actually it is God that stopped you), and say, “enough is enough”. (God does/will sometimes go against someone’s will, whether good or evil (Jer. 10:23). But it is up to the individual to choose not to follow-up with the sin thought into action. Just remember that God is always watching us. I refer you again to Matthew 10:26, and Hebrews 4:13.

Psalms 10:4-11 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them. He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity. His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor. He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.

12-17 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble. Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it. Thou hast seen it: for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless. Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none. The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land. LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear

After you have forgiven and been forgiven, God tells us in His word through His holy men what to do next.

Romans 12:1-19 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Deuteronomy 32:35 To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.

When you change your mind and your attitude (renewing your mind), the people will want to change theirs (occurring by the ripple effect), and begin to desire to help you and or give to you, instead of causing you more strife, just because they “like the new you”. It just may cause them to think totally differently about you. As I said in earlier in this chapter, Satan, our enemy, uses our moods and feelings to get us to sin against God, as well as each other. When we (choose to) fight and argue or causes someone or ourselves harm, we are doing that thing, in essence, to God. Yet God wants to pour out his mercies on us newly every morning. His grace is totally sufficient for us: they are new every single day, when we trust and obey Him!

Lamentations 3:21-25 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

Walk with God, Beloved, and allow him to show you His way that you may have an abundant life in Him. My prayer is that you will be able to stand strong in Him until His return, in Jesus Christ precious name, I wish you the best. Amen.

Psalms 51:1-15 (David’s Prayer) Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

I pray this teaching has been as much blessing to you as it has for me. God dealt with me hard on this matter of forgiveness…. I hope you will learn from this, in the precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.