The Webster dictionary defines forgiveness as: to excuse for a fault, or offense; to stop blaming; to renounce anger or resentment

How often do we really do what the Word tells us to do? Jesus, not only teaches us about forgiveness, He also was the example; "Father forgive them; for they know not what they do". Even while Jesus was being crucified, He still had mercy on His people. No body that's reading this (including myself) has been crucified, so why do we feel we are exempt on showing the same mercy and grace to others that Jesus showed to us? I always say, "half the people that hurt you don't know, and the other half don't care". You know that hurt people, hurt people and a BIG reason why people hurt is because they have not gotten to the process of forgiving; when you really give it to God and forgive you won't hurt no more. How can you really be affective in the body of Christ if you are still carrying hurt? And hurt turns into bitterness, anger, a wall goes up you won't let no one in, you become suspicious; I don't know about you, but I don't want to live like that especially when God said I can have peace on earth. When we fall short of God who is the Almighty we want Him to have compassion right away, and forgive us. But some of us when someone has fallen short with us, we become everything but Godly; we're rude, nasty, cruel, and we continue to throw it back in their face. How many times has God threw back in your face your wrong doings? Exactly, and if God can forgive us, how is it that we do not forgive others? The word says:

LUKE 17:1-4

1) Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offenses will come: but woe unto him, through the whom they come.

2) It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that should offend one of these little ones.

3) Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

4) And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him

*God is God of mercy and grace and every time we stumble or fall He's ready to pick us back up; how come we can not do the same to our sisters and brothers? See flesh feels good, when someone hurts us we want to get even, but how are you getting even if you are not suppose to let your good be spoken evil? When are you going to give it to God, when are you going to just let go and let God; how much more time is going to pass by, and you still mad, angry, upset? Do not just preach the word, quote the word, read the word, but live the word. Yes, what happened to you was terrible and I know it hurts, and we go through so that God can build character, we go through to remind us of the mercy and grace God shown to us, so that we may have it for others. Go through......don't get stuck in the middle or you will never know what lies on the other side.

LUKE 6:36

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful