Donna Williams Supporter

Dear Anonymous, first allow me to say that I commend you for being transparent, and I too have struggled with forgiveness in times past.

However, it is through the power of the Holy Spirit, who is the one that makes it possible for us to walk in forgiveness. 

In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus is speaking to the Jews who were still under the law. And, in Galatians 4:4, we see that Jesus himself was born under the law. These words were spoken prior to His death and resurrection. The New Covenant was established after His Ascension. 

Under the New Covenant, we find what Paul, the apostle, wrote in Ephesians 4:32: "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."

The key is found in these two words, "in Christ." Meaning because of our union with Him, we have been forgiven, and through Him, we have been given the power to forgive. 

May I encourage you with the following verses, which I believe will give you insight and great comfort:

John 15:4: "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me."

John 15:5: "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." 

Romans 8:1: "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."

Philippians 1:6: "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."

Philippians 2:13: "For it is God who works in you both the will and to do for His good pleasure."

The New Covenant is founded upon the words of Jesus in Matthew 26:28: "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." Through His blood we have been made one with Him.

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Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

How can I get better at forgiving and loving others?

Forgive Yourself First: You cannot fully love or forgive others if you are trapped in self-blame and shame.

The Bible says: "Become kind to one another, tenderly compassionate, freely forgiving one another."​—Ephesians 4:32.

Try to recognise the benefits of forgiving.

Ask yourself: 'Is the situation really that serious? Do I need to demand an apology, or can I overlook what happened and move on?'​—Bible principle: 1 Peter 4:8. ESV: "Above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins:"

KEY SCRIPTURES:

"Forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye:​"—Colossians 3:13. ESV.

"We all stumble many times."​—James 3:2.

"Love covers a multitude of sins."​—1 Peter 4:8.

Also, "prayer" is a good starting point for improving at forgiving and loving others.

Talking to God each day about our problems will help us apply things that please God.

These examples will help us to "Forgive Others" when we struggle to do so.

3 Reasons You May Be Struggling To Forgive:

1: You still feel the pain from the hurt that was caused
2: You have never experienced the feeling of being forgiven
3: You haven't come to terms with your true feelings

You believe there is no upside to forgiveness.

Also, we need to remember that we are all imperfect and do things that are not always agreeable to God or ourselves.

Paul is a good example of this point. Note what he says about himself:

Romans 7:15 ESV: "For that which I do I know not: for not what I would, that do I practise; but what I hate, that I do."

Romans 7:19 ESV: " For the good which I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I practise."

In his letter to the Romans, Paul wrote about a struggle he himself experienced​—a conflict between his flesh and his mind. Note the last line of Romans 7: 25 ESV: "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then I of myself with the mind, indeed, serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin."

Paul was honestly acknowledging that, on his own, he was incapable of doing God's will to the extent that he himself desired.

The situation was not hopeless for Paul, and it is not for us.

Paul wrote: "Who will rescue me...? Thanks to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Rom. 7:24, 25)

So by talking to God about problems, even Paul overcame his issues, and so can we.

Day by day and to the best of our ability, we must endeavour to walk, or live our lives, in accord with the leading of the spirit. "Walking by spirit" leads to God's approval.​—Gal. 5:16.

So we all need to go on walking in accord with the spirit. Doing so will bring us blessings, for the minding of the spirit means life and peace.​—Gal. 6:7, 8.

5 hours ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report