This is my first post on the IMforgiven Blog page. I thought I would just create a place to post my thoughts, struggles, frustrations, joys, accomplishments and lessons learned so we could get to know each other a little better.
I think I will start with “Why Forgiveness”. The fact is many years ago I went through a very public and humiliating tragedy in my life. I made several mistakes and wrong choices and as a result many people were angry with me. I saw people who were my closest friends and like brothers or sisters to me, suddenly turn and had nothing to do with me. Other pastors never called, no one consoled with me, tried to help or just came alongside me as a friend. Because of this, I also turned. I turned to anger, bitterness, resentment as a way to deal with my mistakes and the rejection I felt.
I found that the more angry I became at others, the easier it was to sin and justify many actions. After all, it was their fault not mine. Well, after God shook, rattled and rolled my soul I discovered His purpose for my life was to find forgiveness for myself and others. Mark 11 and Matthew 6 were opened to me and I learned that forgiveness was not an option in the Kingdom of God, it was not a choice and our decision to NOT forgive came with severe consequences with regards to our relationship with God and each other.
Then I realized after 10 years as a pastor, I never really gave that much importance to forgiveness. Sure, there messages on receiving God’s forgiveness, but not on forgiving others. I might have said it was God’s will or a good thing, but NEVER did I focus on the fact that Jesus said, “If we don’t forgive others, my Father in heaven will NOT forgive you”. WOW! That’s powerful.
So, it was then I knew God gave me a message and a word to edify the body of Christ. How much have we missed out on because we haven’t focused on this very specific command? How many blessings? How much peace? How much love? Forgiveness, man…it is God’s main reason for taking over 1500 years, over 40 different authors to write the Bible. It’s the main reason He gave His one and only Son to die for us. It’s not an option. That is why I chose IMforgiven!
Bryan
