Freedom and Forgiveness

As millions of Americans watched, Saddam Hussein was taken prisoner a few days ago. He was a threat to the freedom of the American people and we take our freedom very seriously. When we think of freedom we tend to think of fighting and winning wars. For years our soldiers have faught for our freedom. However, there is another kind of freedom that is even more powerful.

The freedom we have that comes from God is our greatest freedom. God frees us from the inner voices that constantly try to trap us in our sin through anger, envy, jealousy, and hatred. Without him we are slaves to our own bitterness. A bitterness that we have come to see way too much of in people today. This bitterness comes from holding grudges for things that don't really matter when looked at from an eternal perspective. Maybe your boss yelled at you at work or someone said things about you behind your back. Maybe your boyfried or girlfriend left you or you are just having a bad day. The only way to overcome the bitterness inside us is through bloodshed. Not from weapons and killing each other but from the blood of Jesus Christ that has already been shed for us. Through his blood we have recieved forgiveness.

"Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far is it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. 'But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." -- Romans 12:17-21

"Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions." -- Mark 11:25-26

Without the ability to forgive that only comes from God we are very bitter people and our bitterness destroys us. It destroys our relationships and our inner peace. It destroys our relationship with God.

It is never too late to forgive. When you do everything will begin to heal. Relationships will begin to be restored. Your heart will overflow with a joy and inner peace that only comes from God. Best of all, your relationship with God will begin to be restored.

So don't hold grudges. Instead, we should rejoice because we know that the penalty for our sin has already been paid. For we are all 4Given.