But I Just Can't: Leaving Unforgiveness, Finding Freedom

by D.T. Boone

Then, as we experience His forgiveness we will begin to see the magnitude of the concept of forgiveness, realizing that it isn't just a word we use to prove our piety and self-righteousness. When we know the ache for His forgiveness, and the depth and totality of that forgiveness without reservation, we will be able to exercise true forgiveness toward others.

“Why is Biblical forgiveness so difficult to study and so seemingly impossible to put into practice?” Allow me to propose a few

Could it be that the adversary knows that true forgiveness brings true healing, reconciliation, and restoration; results that are contrary to all he stands for, and spiritually powerful in the extreme?

“You cannot say, 'No, Lord', and mean both words.

It is understood clearly, by most Biblical students, that, with few exceptions, leaven represents sin.

We must hate, despise, abhor, in radical fashion, any sin that we have previously harbored. Our approach to sin must be with an aggressive, “take no prisoners”, attitude.

In the Apostolic Writings (NT), it is written, “Bear with

each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

The person who is harboring unforgiveness will exhibit most, if not all, of the following; bitterness, unhappiness, anger, slander, gossip, and, generally speaking, whatever love (as defined in 1 Corinthians 13) isn't. At the same time, the fruit of the Spirit identified in Galatians 5 will be seriously lacking in operation in their lives. Why? Because, to be in unforgiveness is

to be in rebellion and, according to 1 Samuel 15:23, to be in rebellion is witchcraft/divination.

To remain in unforgiveness is not only to remain in sin, it's also to remain in an unforgiven state. Charles Capps, in his book, came to the conclusion that, to remain in unforgiveness could be “the sin that leads to death” (1 John 5:16)

For if you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But, if you do not forgive others, then you Father will not forgive your transgressions. Those two verses seem, to me, to act as a Divine Ultimatum.

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive

your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Are you thirsty enough for His Presence in your life that you'd rather be radically changed, radically different, and radically blessed than be traditionally acceptable?

“For I will be merciful to their deeds of wrong, and never, never any more will I recall their sins.”

He “blots out” our sins in Isaiah 43:25 and Acts 3:19, He has removed our sins from us. In other words, they're no longer accounted to

us.

'The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart --- that is, the word of faith that we are proclaiming: For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

But, He strengthens, guides and protects us so we can DO. Not so we can coast. To