FORGIVENESS -- PART 2

CONFESSION REESTABLISHES RELATIONSHIP WITH YHVH.
If YHVH has forgiven us for our sins because of Moshiach’s death, why must we confess our sins? In admitting our sins and receiving Moshiach’s cleansing, we are:
1 - agreeing with YHVH that our sin truly was sin and that we are willing to turn from it,
2 - ensuring that we don’t conceal our sins from Him and consequently, from ourselves and
3 - recognizing our tendency to sin and relying on His Power to overcome it.

HUMAN FORGIVENESS

WHY SHOULD WE FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER AND HOW CAN WE DO IT?

JOSEPH IS A MODEL OF GENUINE FORGIVENESS.
Don’t be angry with yourselves that you did this to me, for YHVH did it. He sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. -- Genesis 45:5. Joseph was rejected, kidnapped, enslaved and imprisoned. Although his brothers had been unfaithful to him, he graciously forgave them and shared his prosperity. Joseph demonstrated how YHVH forgives us and showers us with goodness even though we have sinned against Him. The same forgiveness and blessings are ours if we ask for them.

FORGIVENESS IS A MARK OF THE BELIEVERS LIFE.
Don’t let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good. -- Romans 12:21. Verses 17-21 summarize the real core of a believer's living. If we Love someone the way Moshiach Loves us, we will be willing to forgive. If we have experienced YHVH’s grace, we will want to pass it on to others. And remember, grace is undeserved favour. By giving an enemy a drink, we’re not excusing his misdeeds. We are recognizing him, forgiving him and loving him in spite of his sins-just as Moshiach did for us.

FORGIVENESS IS CONTRARY TO THE PATTERN OF THE WORLD.
In this day of constant lawsuits and incessant demands for legal rights, Paul’s command sounds almost impossible. When someone hurts you deeply, instead of giving him what he deserves, Paul says to befriend him. Why does Paul tell us to forgive our enemies?
1 - Forgiveness may break a cycle of retaliation and lead to mutual reconciliation.
2 - It may make the enemy feel ashamed and change his or her ways.
3 - By contrast, returning evil for evil hurts you just as much as it hurts your enemy. Even if your enemy never repents, forgiving him or her will free you of a heavy load of bitterness.

FORGIVENESS IS AN ACT OF THE WILL.
Forgiveness involves both attitudes and actions. If you find it difficult to feel forgiving of those who have hurt you, try responding with kind actions. If appropriate, tell such people that you would like to heal your relationships. Give them a helping hand. Send them a gift. Smile at them. Many times you will discover that right actions lead to right feelings.

IF WE EXPECT TO BE FORGIVEN, WE NEED TO PRACTICE FORGIVENESS.
If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. -- Matthew 6:14-15. Yeshua gives a startling warning about forgiveness: if we refuse to forgive others, YHVH will also refuse to forgive us. Why? Because when we don’t forgive others, we are denying our common ground as sinners in need of YHVH’s forgiveness. YHVH’s forgiveness of sin is not the direct result of our forgiving others, but it is based on our realizing what forgiveness means -- see Ephesians 4:32. It is easy to ask YHVH for forgiveness, but difficult to grant it to others. Whenever we ask YHVH to forgive us for sin, we should ask ourselves, Have I forgiven the people who have wronged me?