One of the basic elements of our Faith is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, all our strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. And when we truly love from our heart, we walk in step with the Spirit.

So, why do Christians have such a difficult time with forgiving?

Sometimes we ourselves make it difficult to forgive because we take on a victim mentality. And maybe it wasn’t fair what was done to us, but, harboring that unforgiveness in our hearts will eventually choke out the love we’re called to have for our neighbor.

Just as our Lord Jesus Christ we’re called to love, forgive, show mercy and compassion. But if we’re unable to forgive people in our lives from the present to the past, maybe, we should be asking ourselves, do I really have love in my heart the way Christ Jesus commanded?

This issue of Unforgiveness reminds me of the parable of the unforgiving servant found in Matthew 18:23-35. Jesus starts off by saying;

Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain King who wanted to settle accounts with His servants. One of His servants owed Him ten thousand talents. But as he was  not able to pay, His Master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before Him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the Master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

But that servant went out and found one of his servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all. And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.

So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his Master, after He had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you? And His Master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. “So My Heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brothers trespasses.

Did you catch the last two sentences Jesus said?

This statement should strike fear in all the hearts of those who are harboring unforgiveness. And something else to think about, how can one advance in their walk with Christ when they’re holding on to the bitter seeds of Unforgiveness?

Remember, nothing is too difficult for the Lord. If you truly want to follow Christ you must be willing to pray and tell Him you have Unforgiveness in your heart and you need His help so you can work through it. Because we can do nothing on our own. And He will ensure you love as He loves, that you  show mercy, compassion and forgiveness as He did and still does. And remember what the Lord Christ Jesus said as He was being crucified in Luke 23:34?

And Jesus said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Now that’s the ultimate forgiveness!