Corrie ten Boom, survivor of a women's Nazi concentration camp, wrote: "Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart."
For every Christian, forgiveness is a choice. In order to fully receive God's forgiveness we must willingly extend forgiveness to others.
Through an act of her will, Corrie forgave her persecutors and her sister's murderers. Jesus forgave humankind of even more. How can we do less?
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. Colossians 3:13
So watch yourselves. If your sisters sins, rebuke him, and if she repents, forgive her. If she sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, "I repent," forgive her. Luke 17:3-4
Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. 1Peter 3:9
O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive; so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. Psalm 86:5
"If the wounds of millions
are to be healed,
what other way is there except
through forgiveness?"
Catherine Marshall
The Bible Promise Book for Women
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