Stealth Weapon - Forgiveness In a time when failures get immediate exposure and power is related to the better condemning campaign, there is no end to the holding of grudges even when disproven. The enemy of a movement or personality is set on holding a transgression against them until it crushes their reputation and ability to be effective. The facts don’t even have to come close to being accurate for the telling of them to present someone as unforgiveable and therefore unacceptable for a position of favor. Especially when the facts do line up, though, a wedge is effectively driven that will never allow for coming together in fellowship or purpose. If only the sides could come together, such great things could be accomplished in unity. Where the enemy’s weapons prosper, however, unforgiveness reigns with havoc on souls and their great potential together. To this divided world of resentment and strife came a Weapon that stealthily demolishes the power of transgressions. Where forgiveness is given even before the sin is committed, the enemy’s devices are rendered obsolete and ineffective. Hearts are liberated to walk unhindered by guilt and condemnation to their fulfilled purposes. This was the mission of Jesus, to no longer hold the weight of sin against us, but to ultimately forgive us all our sins and render every divisive scheme of the enemy powerless. Even before awareness of the errant parties, dispensing of forgiveness penetrates accusations and held grudges to liberate both the offender and their offended to be united in glorifying God in kingdom purpose. However, to receive this great weapon and experience its power without participating in its sharing is to undermine its continued effect on our own failures. The greater the weight lifted off of our own shortcomings, the greater should be the launching of forgiveness to demolish all strife and its labeling of the fallen. We will be kept in the blessing of the righteous where the weapon of forgiveness comes not only to us but also through us. Notes Our enemy’s greatest threat – guilt, shame, condemnation All come short of the mark – not “we’re ok” Romans 3:23-24 (NLT) 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Necessity of Forgiveness To receive - must give Matthew 6:14-15 (NKJV) 14 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Servant parable Matthew 18:35 (NKJV) 35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” Key to power words – forgiveness Mark 11:25-26 (NKJV) 25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Forgiveness - the stealth weapon Luke 23:34 (NKJV) 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots. From Thayer “Forgive” Definition: Send away Let go, let alone, let be Disregard Leave, not to discuss now Omit, neglect Permit, allow, not to hinder Leave in order to go to another place To leave so that all mutual claims are abandoned Go away leaving something behind To leave on dying Leave so what is left may remain Abandon, leave destitute Enemy’s weapon – guilt, shame, segregation Our countermeasures – forgiveness in love To forgive: 1. Must first receive Luke 7:47-48 (TLB) 47 Therefore her sins—and they are many—are forgiven, for she loved me much; but one who is forgiven little, shows little love.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 2. Requires preemptive sacrifice Romans 5:8 (NKJV) 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. John 15:13 (NKJV) 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. 3. On a mission – reconciliation 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 (NLT) 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. Overview: The enemy’s greatest threat – sin, shame, and condemnation. Our giving of forgiveness is necessary for our living in it. To forgive is to completely let go and disregard in order to go on freely to another place. The degree of reception in God’s presence determines the degree of love that will make true forgiveness possible. There is no forgiveness without sacrifice of self in love. Complete forgiveness includes a mission of reconciliation to God. Prayer: My heart is filled with gratitude for the great love You’ve demonstrated towards me by not just saying You love me, but laying down Your own perfect life for my sinful one. Jesus, enable me in this gratitude to also demonstrate this same love for those who seem to fail me in any way. Help me to lay down my own feelings with a vision of them restored completely in relationship with You. Declarations: While I was still sinning against God, Jesus gave His life for me to forgive me completely. As I have received this incredible love in the forgiveness of sin, I also received this forgiving nature. I now use this same forgiveness to destroy the power of strife and division even before failures. By faith, I let go of all offenses in order to depart to a place of victory for myself and them. I walk in the Liberty Christ’s forgiveness has given me and I will not be a part of condemning again.