How To Have the Spirit of Forgiveness in an Unforgiving World

Forgive! The word of God has commanded us to have a spirit of forgiveness. But you might say that this is easier said than done. Imagine what the world would be like if there was not a spirit of forgiveness. If every human being on the planet Earth walked around lacking a spirit of forgiveness, this world would be full of sadness and deep sorrow. An incredible darkness would swallow up all joy and happiness. The spirit of offense would run rampant upon the earth. There would be no love, no families, no oneness, no union and no harmony. It would be a world full of chaos. A lack of forgiveness leads to bitterness, and bitterness leads to hatred, and hatred leads to chaos and confusion. A lack of forgiveness is like a strong fortress that can hardly be conquered or broken down. But the inability to forgive can be mastered and outwitted. How?

1. Turn first to understanding that we all have shortcomings. God said that we all fall short of the glory of the Lord. We all, in some way or other, have shortcomings and faults and have offended others. As we first turn to ourselves and reflect in the mirror, evaluating our own actions, we sometimes find that the circumstance or issue could have been prevented if only we had responded in a different way.
2. Be willing to deny self. Deny how you feel about the situation, whether you are right or wrong. Don't feel that you have to glory in your right or sulk in your wrong. Don't let pride be an issue that stops you from the spirit of reconciliation and restoration.
3. Be willing to recognize that losing the relationship, the bond, the union, is not worth the disagreement or argument. Value the relationship more than the issue at hand. Value the closeness and unity of the bond and don't let anything come into the relationship to divide and conquer.
4. Yield. Be willing to say that you are sorry or wrong and that you are willing to accept your part in the disagreement or argument. Don't indulge in self-will and self-way, or in other words, don't always demand your way in the matter. Employ a spirit of humility and honor the relationship, having a surrendered heart.
5. Be willing to accept the other person's apology as well, and receive them back as if they've done nothing at all. Graciously and lovingly receive them without hesitation and restraint.

Now, you might be saying, "But you don't know what this person has done or said?!" That's true, I don't, but as God has forgiven you of all the things that you have ever done or said; in like manner, you can do the same. In conclusion, love covers all wrongs. The depth and height of love has no bounds and has all power to cover over all and every offense. Now, why waste another day or another moment being separated from the person or persons you love because of a lack of forgiveness, when today you can put on the spirit of forgiveness and clothe your relationship in love? It's quite simple. Just say, "I forgive you," and "Will you forgive me?"