The Power of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a way of life that brings us into every blessing in Christ, transforming lives and opening the windows of heaven.
David Wilkerson emphasizes that forgiveness is not merely a one-time act but a continuous way of life that opens the door to God's blessings. He stresses that we cannot choose whom to forgive, as holding onto grudges leads to bitterness and spiritual famine. Wilkerson shares his experiences of witnessing both the devastation caused by unforgiveness and the transformative power of a forgiving spirit. He highlights that true repentance involves forgiving others, as it reflects the nature of God and allows us to experience His mercy and blessings. Ultimately, embracing forgiveness is essential for living in the fullness of joy and peace that comes from being a child of God.
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Forgiveness is not just a one-time act, but a way of life, meant to bring us into every blessing in Christ. "I say unto you. Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you: that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:44-45).
According to Jesus, forgiveness isn't a matter of picking or choosing whom we would forgive. We can't say, "You've hurt me too much, so I'm not forgiving you." Christ tells us, "For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same?" (5:46).
It doesn't matter who our grudge might be against. If we hold onto it, it will lead to bitterness that poisons every aspect of our lives. Unforgiveness brings on spiritual famine, weakness, and a loss of faith, afflicting not just us but everyone in our circle.
Over the past fifty years of my ministry, I have seen terrible devastation in the lives of those who withheld forgiveness. Yet, I also have seen the glorious power of a forgiving spirit. Forgiveness transforms lives, causing the windows of heaven to open. It fills our cup of spiritual blessing to the brim with abundant peace, joy and rest in the Holy Ghost. Jesus' teaching on this subject is very specific, and if you want to move in this wonderful realm of blessing, then heed and embrace his words.
"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" (Matthew 6:14-15). Make no mistake: God isn't making a bargain with us here. He is not saying, "Because you've forgiven others, I will forgive you." We can never earn God's forgiveness. Only the shed blood of Christ merits forgiveness of sin.
Rather, Christ is saying, "Full confession of sin requires that you forgive others. If you hold on to any unforgiveness, then you haven't confessed all your sins. True repentance means confessing and forsaking every grudge, crucifying every trace of bitterness toward others. Anything less isn't repentance."
This goes hand in hand with his Beatitude: "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy" (Matthew 5:7). His point: Forgive others, so you can move in to the blessings and joy of sonship. God can then pour on tokens of his love. And when you forgive, you're revealing the Father's nature to the world.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Power of Forgiveness
- A. Forgiveness is a way of life, not a one-time act
- B. Forgiveness brings us into every blessing in Christ
- C. Jesus teaches us to love our enemies and forgive those who persecute us
- II. The Consequences of Unforgiveness
- A. Unforgiveness leads to bitterness, spiritual famine, and a loss of faith
- B. Unforgiveness affects not just us, but everyone in our circle
- III. The Power of Forgiveness
- A. Forgiveness transforms lives and opens the windows of heaven
- B. Forgiveness fills our cup with abundant peace, joy, and rest in the Holy Ghost
- IV. The Connection Between Forgiveness and Repentance
- A. Forgiveness is a requirement for true repentance
- B. Holding onto unforgiveness means we haven't confessed all our sins
Key Quotes
“Forgiveness is not just a one-time act, but a way of life, meant to bring us into every blessing in Christ.” — David Wilkerson
“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” — David Wilkerson
“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” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We must forgive others to move into the blessings and joy of sonship, and to reveal the Father's nature to the world.
- True repentance requires that we forgive others and confess all our sins.
- Forgiveness is a requirement for receiving God's forgiveness, not a way to earn it.