Forgiveness Is A Tool

When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes. [2 Corinthians 2.10-11]

What authority to forgive was Paul talking about?

If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” [John 20.23]

Forgiveness is not only something we are told to do (as Jesus said above), but it is something Paul further encourages us to understand that prevents us from being deceived by the devil. This is big news.

If Jesus' ministry is summed up in one word, that word would be the word "forgiveness."

If our lives are to be like Jesus' life, then our lives should be summed up with one word: "forgiveness."

Forgiveness prevents Satan from outsmarting us.

Forgiveness prevents Satan from outsmarting us.

Once again, forgiveness prevents Satan from outsmarting us.

The point then is this: forgiveness prevents Satan from outsmarting us.

If then we are feeling duped by the devil (as so many of us often do), then perhaps we need to extend forgiveness. It is, after all, like Christ. It is, after all, the "Christ"ian thing to do.

By the Spirit of God within us, we have been given the "tool" (if you will) of forgiveness so that we might do the work of Jesus and defeat the work of the enemy.

Forgiveness was not optional for Jesus. Think about it... It was the whole reason He came. So, forgiveness is not optional for us. If we can see it, forgiveness is our mission in Christ Jesus.

Father, thank You for yet another reminder of the paramount importance of forgiveness in my life. May I be found forgiving if I am found nothing else!