God is absolute perfection. In Him there are no flaws, however, this is not the case
among Christians. Every true child of God is on a spiritual journey during which
time God is transforming us into the image of Jesus Christ. This process involves
the putting off, or the dying away of the old Adamic sin nature and the putting on or
the release of the new Jesus nature in our life. This process takes time. Daily we
are being perfected. 2 Cor. 3:18 - So all of us who have had that veil removed can
see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord-who is the Spirit-makes us more
and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.

When Jesus returns this process will be climaxed, but not until then this means
we will experience imperfections in our own life. We expect change! We expect
Christ-likeness! This is the normal pursuit of every healthy child of God yet along
the way we will be confronted with our own weakness. This shouldn't be
understood to be a bad thing but rather a good thing. God brings our enemies to
us so that they can be put to death by us. God will allow hidden imperfections to
surface for the purpose of alerting us to an area that requires His help. Quite often
these imperfections surface or come to life through our experiences with other
people. People offend us, upset us, abuse us, etc. It's more tolerable when this
type of things comes through the ungodly, yet often times the deeps hurts come
through those we love, those we go to church with, those who call themselves
Christians.

It's one thing to suffer abuse because you deserve it but when you feel you've done
nothing to deserve such abuse. This is when bitterness can get into our soul. We
can start hating! We can start planning how to get even. What does the Lord say
about this?

1Peter 3:9 - Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when
people you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has
called you to do, and He will bless you for it.

1Thes. 5:15 - See that no one pays back evil for evil. but always try to do
good to each other and to all people.

Don't be deceived to think that growing in God is easy. It's not! It not easy to put
into practice some of the basic truths of God's Word, however it's a must and
when you it pays off. Releasing forgiveness can be a very difficult thing in fact you
may find it impossible on your own. Don't be surprised if you discover human
limitation in this area. You may be required to cry out to the Lord for His help, for
His power to forgive. It's quite revealing to discover that the subject matter that
motivated Jesus disciples to ask for more faith was that of forgiveness. Luke 17:4 -
Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and
asks forgiveness, you must forgive." 5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Show us
how to increase our faith."

If we love with Jesus kind of love then we will release forgiveness. 1Cor. 13:4-7 -
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does
not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being
wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins
out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures
through every circumstance. Genuine God love keeps no record of being wronged.
This is the case of God's love towards you. He has completely forgiven you all the
wrong you did to Him when you used to live in sin. God's New Covenant with you
clearly states. Heb 8:12- And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never
again remember their sins. God's love towards you keeps no record of the
wrong you did. Confessed sin is forgiven sin and forgiven sin is forgotten sin. This
is a choice God makes and a choice we must learn to make as well. You might
not FEEL love for someone who has offended you.

You may be totally emotionless but I encourage you from my own personal
experience to release forgiveness. Go to God explain that you have no feelings of
affectionate love towards this person but out of obedience to God's Word you want
to forgive this person. I encourage you in Jesus name not to wait until they ask
you. They may never ask and then you'll be left to carry a spiritual weight that will
end up in bitterness. It's real tuff at time to do things the Jesus way but it's the
most God honoring thing you can do. Honor Jesus' forgiveness by forgiving others. .
.