“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15
“For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” James 2:13
Are you refusing to forgive someone? Feel like down the road maybe you will, maybe you won’t? That it’s just too hard to forgive right now? Or that the person doesn’t deserve your forgiveness anyway, so why not at least drag it out? Delay your forgiveness? Like you just can’t forgive? Like there’s no way you’re ever going to forgive this person? That you’ve forgiven one too many times, as far as you’re concerned anyway? That you’ll wait until you “feel” like forgiving the person? That it’s going to take some time until you’re ready to forgive? That holding onto the hurt and bitterness, the anger and resentment is a better option? That vengeance feels good, so you’d rather seek vengeance than forgive? Well, I have news for you.
Forgiveness isn’t about feelings, and forgiveness isn’t about ability. Forgiveness is about obedience to God almighty, and God gives us the strength by His Spirit through the Lord Jesus Christ to obey His commands, including to forgive, and God tells us in His Word something we desperately need to hear. Those of us who refuse to have mercy and forgive those we need to forgive will not receive His mercy and forgiveness.
Please don’t wait until you “feel” like forgiving, or until you “feel” like you have the ability to forgive. Obey God now. Forgive. And, if you feel like it’s simply impossible to do so, pray to God in the name of Jesus Christ for the ability to forgive. For Christ’s sake.