Forgiveness: Part 1

       Over the past several years I have spoken on forgiveness multiple times to a variety of different groups of people.  Sermons, lessons for students, and talking one on one with multiple individuals.  Every-time I have spoken on forgiveness it has struck a nerve with many, many, people.  Something that we all face living in a fallen, broken, sin-satured world, is deep hurt and pain.  Sometimes these hurts are the result of our own choices that we have made.  Sometimes these hurts are just things that happen and no one is really at blame.  However, sometimes these deeps hurts and pains have been directly caused by another person.  Needless to say, we have all been hurt by people, and as a result we all need to forgive.  As I have been talking about forgiveness I have come to the realization that many people, followers of Jesus, have struggled deeply with forgiveness and many have not been able to get to the place of forgiving others.   
       A couple years ago I asked on facebook if people have had a situation happen to them where they have yet to grant forgiveness.  A number of people responded to me, sharing heartbreaking stories of deep pain and hurt, and also shared with me how long they have been unable to grant forgiveness.  Here are a few of the responses I got.  1 Year, 5 years, 9 years, 11 years, 13, years, 13, years, someone in their late twenties said a lifetime, and one individual shared that they had been struggling to forgive someone for 30 years.  It is safe to assume that many, many, follower of Jesus struggle with forgiving others.
       So why am I beginning a series on forgiveness?  For several reasons.  First, it has been an area of struggle and process for me.  Secondly, it is an area where many, many Jesus followers struggle.  Thirdly, there seems to be much confusion about what Biblical forgiveness is.  Fourthly, Scripture is extremely clear on the necessity for Jesus followers to forgive others.  Matthew 5:14-15, "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."  Matthew 18:35, "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."  The need of Jesus followers to forgive is as clear as can be.
       I would love to hear your stories, and how God is working on you when it comes to forgiveness.  The next part of the series will share my struggles, failures, battles, and victories that have been ongoing when it comes to forgiveness.  Praying that God might use this to draw us all nearer to Him.