Forgiveness. The core of our beliefs. The one thing that reconciles us back to God. But yet one of the most neglected practices of us "called by His name".

You see, forgiveness is a command, not an option. And according to Matthew 5:23-25 it has to take place before we even want to pray! But I can personally speak from experience as a Pastor who has been in this for awhile now...this subject is destroying the Body of Christ! Relationships are being severed and churches are splitting over the fact that many in church cannot get the victory over offense and learn the power of true forgiveness!

But, forgiveness is the one thing in life that opens up the windows of Heaven and brings true healing. I believe that many are blocking blessings and answered prayer because of offense and unforgiveness!

Unforgiveness is like the bondage from a debt we can never repay.(Matt. 5 25,26) It's like a spiritual yoke that never lets go. But for those who know what it's like to come clean about things and ask for forgiveness towards others...it's like a river of healing that you cannot describe into words! It's the way God designed it. For the ones on the giving end and the receiving end of forgiveness it heals the heart, the mind and the spirit. It clears the way for Gods will and it defeats the devil! Hallelujah!

It makes me wonder why so many people that I have personally come in contact with as a Pastor over the years refuse to come clean and let the healing virtue of forgiveness flow into their lives over things that have transpired between them and others. Oh my...the true healing and cleansing power that takes place when we let forgiveness be the foundation of our relationships with others! 

I believe that if all in the Body of Christ would exercise forgiveness there wouldn't be church splits or severed relationships. I mean, there are some churches whose growth has only come because of people who cannot let go of offenses. So, instead of letting forgiveness govern their life, the easy road is to carry their baggage of offense and unforgiveness to another church who "understands" their "issues". But somebody needs to be bold enough to say, "...brother, you have unforgiveness, and that's why you're here. Do it the God way and get it right. Then you'll realize that it wasn't God but rather self that led you here."

I know that it grieves the heart of the Father when He sees these things happening amongst those "called by His name". Oh...the healing power of forgiveness! It just might be what is holding the church back from seeing those signs and wonders that happened in a early church in "one accord". Could you just imagine if every Pastor in every church in America alone would preach on this subject on the same Sunday! And after the sermon would be bold enough to say, "Every single one of you here because of offense or unforgiveness you are out of the will of God! I adjure you to get back in it!" Some churches would lose half their congregation, some would lose all, and some churches would double in size! There are even churches that were started and birthed out of offense and unforgiveness. And those churches will always be a magnet to those who leave their churches for the same reason.

Well, I believe that the Holy Spirit is speaking a message loud and clear to the Body of Christ. And that message is to rid ourselves of offense and unforgiveness. It would bring such a healing to the Body of Christ that I believe that it would put us in a position to win the world!

Blessings,
Pastor Dennis Sanders