“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.'”

Luke 23:34

It is so hard to forgive people when they are against us. Christ gave us an important lesson about love when He said, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do.” It is believed that the entire time that He was being crucified, Jesus repeated these words.

One of the most difficult things for humans to do is to forgive others. Personally, I have come to the realization that forgiveness is an act of faith, since our emotions refuse to grant it. It is not logical to forgive a person who has betrayed us, abused our trust, robbed us, hurt us, insulted us or slandered us, and so on. I don’t think there is a single person worthy of forgiveness. However, the greatest teaching that the Lord gives us is that He forgives us anyway, regardless of whether we deserve it or not because He is a merciful God who extends forgiveness without limits.

The Lord taught His disciples about this saying, “and when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your sins.” (Mark 11:25, 26). We have to understand that forgiveness is the medicine for the soul and that we must practice it daily. Jesus’ words are the expression of His determination to forgive those that had offended him, he said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
I left the clinic where I had been recuperating from the assassination attempt on my life and the lives of my family. I had taken 5 bullets, and had remained in a coma for ten days afterwards. After I left, I noticed that my prayer life was not the same as before. I felt all kinds of fears and went to great lengths to try and feel the presence of God, but I was unable to break through. After about twenty days had passed, I decided to pray this prayer, “Jesus, allow me to be myself; I desire to be the person I have always been; Please help me God.” In that instant, I heard the voice of God speaking to my heart, “Son, have you been able to forgive those who wanted to end your life?” As soon as he spoke these words, I had to admit to myself that I had not actually forgiven them yet. Later God added, “Can you forgive them?” and I answered, “Yes, Lord.” Immediately I made the decision to extend forgiveness to those who had tried to take our lives. I prayed saying, “Father, I forgive those who wanted to take my life. I forgive the perpetrators who planned it, and those who came in person to execute the plan. I ask, Lord, that you bless them and that this would be an opportunity for them to know You. I ask this God, in the name of Jesus. Amen.”

After praying this prayer, I felt that something was broken in the spiritual realm. The power of God came upon my life in such a strong way that I felt rivers of life flowing inside of my entire being. Later on I heard the voice of the Lord saying to me, “Son every time you allowed resentment in your life, you were outside of yourself and that is why you felt that you weren’t the same.” But when I granted forgiveness, those feelings completely disappeared.

TODAY’S DECLARATION
“I have the power to forgive because in His mercy, God already forgave me.”

Today’s post is an excerpt from Pastor Cesar Castellanos’ book, Declarations of Power for 365 Days of the Year: Volume One.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING

• Old Testament: Genesis 48; Psalms 22:1-11
• New Testament: Matthew 9:14-26; Acts 13:26-52