The Big “U”
Mark Chestnutt, American country music artist, had a big hit in 1994 when he recorded and released his song, “Goin’ Through the Big D” (and don’t mean Dallas). The lyrics tell the story of a man going through the emotional and financial aftermath of a divorce that rocked his world. It would be astounding to know how many born-again Christians are going through the “Big U” (unforgiveness). Actually, statistics indicate that most aren’t going through, but are stuck and wallowing in unforgiveness. And I’m not just referring to divorce but everything from A to Z. Individuals living year after year after year with no satisfying end in sight. I’ve heard it said that harboring unforgiveness in your heart is like taking poison and hoping it will kill someone else.
Jesus desires that His followers live the abundant life – that’s why He came to earth. Jesus said, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10 NLT). No one is going to have a rich and satisfying life with unforgiveness choking their blessings. We have to do our part in order to receive the promised blessings of the abundant life. Jesus also said, “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings, and let them drop. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings” (Mark 11:25,26 AMP).
Jesus’ words are not hard to understand but they’re often ignored. It doesn’t change the fact that knowing, but stubbornly ignoring, His Word is disobedience. When Christians refuse to forgive others for their failings and shortcomings toward us, we’re letting the devil steal, kill, and destroy our lives. This pleases him greatly. The crafty enemy of our soul wants to keep us whipped up into a frenzy over something that happened yesterday, a decade ago, or longer. Satan is thrilled to see believers walking in misery and living in disobedience to God’s Word. Do yourself a favor and forgive – drop it, leave it, let it go to hell with the devil. Living in peace can only come when you kiss unforgiveness good-bye forever. Be the bigger person and make the first move toward reconciliation.
In reference to Jesus’ own words, none of us can afford to harbor unforgiveness in our heart. When I fail and fall short of God’s commandments, I am in need of His forgiveness when I repent. I’d be in big trouble if God refused to forgive me simply because I have refused to forgive someone that had wronged me. Please, do not let unforgiveness stand in your way of living in right relationship with God and man. Bitterness and unforgiveness do not look good on you. You can stay stuck or you can move on.
One reason why prayer isn’t answered among Christians is unforgiveness. Jesus bluntly told His disciples that if they didn’t forgive, neither would their heavenly Father forgive them their sins. Jesus didn’t hem-haw around and “suggest” we forgive because He knew what a huge stumbling block unforgiveness is to the our spiritual lives. A heart full of unforgiveness and bitterness toward others will short-circuit God from answering our prayers. All of our relationships should be flourishing with goodwill toward others. If you have an ax to grind with someone, I suggest you throw it in the river.
Born-again Christians cannot do life in a Christlike fashion when we have hardened our hearts with unforgiveness. We must extend forgiveness, mercy and loving-kindness to others, just like God does for us. God forgave us…and will continue to forgive us as long as we forgive others.
The Key: Believers need to think twice about disobeying Jesus’ command to forgive.