Week 1 – The Power of Forgiveness by Pastor Mark Cowart
Understanding and applying the power of forgiveness is absolutely essential. It unhooks you from all of the demonic influences that you would be vulnerable to otherwise. We must forgive as we have been forgiven by God. You will hear this again and again as we explore this topic, as repetition is the motor of learning. We must forgive, as we have been forgiven by God, as the Lord plainly tells us.
Then Peter came up and said to Him, ‘Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me and I still forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy-seven times.’
‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his slaves. And when he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. But since he did not have the means to repay, his master commanded that he be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment be made. So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, “Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.” And the master of that slave felt compassion, and he released him and forgave him the debt. But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, “Pay back what you owe!” So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, “Have patience with me and I will repay you.’” But he was unwilling, and went and threw him in prison until he would pay back what was owed. So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their master all that had happened. Then summoning him, his master said to him, “You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave in the same way that I had mercy on you?” And his master, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he would repay all that was owed him.’ ‘My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.’ Matthew 18:21-35 NASB
In verse 22 above, we hear the Lord say to forgive 70 X 7 times. That totals 490 times which would make forgiveness a full time job if applied literally. We understand, therefore, that Jesus is making a point of magnitude rather than calculation. That point is that no matter how often someone wrongs you, you need to be quick to forgive. Understanding needs to be applied in this.
You will note that the servant in this passage who owed his master an enormous debt ($3.8 billion today) was desperate, as he had no way to repay it. Further into the story, he condemns a fellow servant who owed him equivalent to $2500. Regardless of how these amounts are particularly derived, there is a vast difference between the debts each owed. The man who was shown mercy and totally forgiven sought out someone who owed him much less
When the master in this story found out about it, he confronted the servant for his lack of mercy toward the other man, and he reversed his previous judgment to release the larger debt. He was “angry” and “delivered him to the torturers”. Some translations say “tormenters” here, “… until he should pay all that was due to him”.
Jesus then makes it clear that we are in the same jeopardy with the Father, should we not choose to forgive. This is a serious portion of scripture. I have been stirred to again teach on this, because I’ve had to walk through some things regarding forgiveness, particularly in ministry. There are all sorts of opportunities to be exercised in this in full-time ministry.
In my early days with Church for All Nations, I encountered some of the most difficult things I had to forgive. It was a process that I didn’t do well with at first, and it didn’t come about instantly.
I learned that forgiveness is a choice. I learned that you forgive in a decision you make in a point in time, but walking it out is a longer process. You still have a mind, memory and emotions. After that point of forgiveness, the enemy will try to get in and tell you that you haven’t forgiven them because of the feelings you still have.
The body of Christ must have an understanding of forgiveness. Without it, you may not think it or feel it, but you are bound. You cannot do all that God has destined you to do.
The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV
Unforgiveness is at the root of so many troubles in this life. The battle to forgive “from your heart” (which, of course, the enemy does NOT want you to do) is in your soul – your mind, will and emotions. Therein is your heart, and the scripture above tells us it cannot be trusted.
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 KJV
It is so important to remember that every one of us has been forgiven by God. If you are born again, you received the forgiveness of God. Even someone who would be considered “good” all their life misses the mark. I recently counseled with a young man who obviously loved the Lord, but he said to me regarding forgiveness, “I’m not ready to go there yet.” I feel strongly this is something you don’t want to put off. Doors are left open into your life when you don’t forgive people.
Unforgiveness is like a system-wide infection in the body know as sepsis. An untended wound can turn into a life- threatening infusion of poison similar to what is found in a septic tank for a waste treatment system. When we fail to forgive, we become septic with bitterness. This condition gets progressively more difficult to remedy and heal.
Forgiveness is the essence of what we, as Christians, should be living and walking in. A lot of believers struggle with forgiving people. They carry unforgiveness, and it is the cause of many ills in the Body of Christ. Being turned over to the “tormenters” or “torturers” is serious. The Greek word there in Matthew where Jesus tells the story means “one who elicits the truth by the use of the rack” (an ancient torture device). What happens to people who do not choose to forgive is torment comes into their lives. It is a horrible place to be as a believer.
In this study, we will be looking at these truths:
1) Forgiveness is a most powerful force in the earth, because everything the devil has planned for your life can be cut loose and released out of your life by it.
2) Without walking in forgiveness, you will not be able to walk in God’s love to the degree that the Lord intends you to.
3) Forgiveness is a decision and not a feeling. There is a battle to hold that ground against memories, feelings and the enemy.
4) Forgiveness is required before you enter into genuine spiritual warfare.
5) When you forgive, you position yourself for a confident and strong heart.
Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. I John 3:21-22 NASB
I’ve seen some of the biggest yachts in the world in New Zealand. These magnificent ocean-going vessels were arrayed before us, all tied to the docks. The Lord quickened to me there that holding onto unforgiveness is like being tied to the dock in your life. All the capacity within you to set sail on the high seas of this life to fulfill the vision of God is held back by unforgiveness.
Pray this over your life:
Lord, I thank you for the power to forgive, to make that decision by the love of God that is shed abroad in my heart according to your Word. As you quicken to me those whom I must forgive, both living or dead, I will name them before
you: _____________________________________
I release them from owing me anything. I cancel the debt. Knowing that you forgave me when you hung on the cross, Lord Jesus, I choose to forgive them. I thank you, Lord, that every assignment of the enemy against my life is canceled right now! Healing power is flowing in my mind and body, in the mighty name of Jesus.
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