how to Master forgivness in 7 steps

​     The past three weeks most of the US is obeying the self – quarantine mandate. The glorious freedom our country touts is sacrificially given up keeping ourselves and others safe and healthy.
This is a freedom many are willing to forgo to essentially keep us and others alive longer. Not to let this ruthless virus win. 

    How many of you are truly free? Living a life in true freedom that Jesus Christ died for? I’m talking to those who have salvation and eternal life through Jesus our Lord and savior - a disciple of Christ.
    If you do not know Christ as your Lord and savior – you are not free. I’m keeping it real. If you want true freedom click here for more information on how to get it.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
    I love this scripture. I memorized this some years ago.
    Little did I know how little freedom I was living in Christ. I was burdened by a yoke of slavery from sinful actions I did, and sins done against me.
   I gave the devil a foothold in my life from hidden unforgiveness, sexual sins, pride, lust, vanity, lies I believed and other violations done to me without my consent. I won’t go into much detail of my sin resume, I’m sure you get the picture. You have your own sin resume, too.
    I gave ground to the enemy and didn’t realize how much smut weighed me down. Everything that Jesus died for!!! It was as if He died in vain. Thank you for forgiving me Jesus!
    Holding on to unforgiveness and bitterness against someone is like you drinking poison in hopes for it to harm or kill someone else. Not too smart. Unforgiveness harms you. It weighs you down. Unforgiveness and bitterness is blackness covering up the light of Jesus in you.
    The demons love when Christ – followers are unforgiving and bitter. This is ground for them to infiltrate your soul. Think of it as food or fuel for them.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” 1 John 10:10 (NIV)
  The devil likes to flip the script. He doesn’t want us to follow Jesus, have freedom and live kingdom lives down here on earth. Let us not give into his schemes.
   The book of Ephesians chapters four through six gives Christ- followers instructions for living. When the Bible gives us directions it is wise to follow them. These timeless principles cause blessings and kingdom living when I live them out.
   “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” Ephesians 4:26-27
 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.” Ephesians 5:8-11
    Forgiveness is a dominant theme in the Bible. Jesus died to repay the debt we could never pay to our Heavenly Father. Jesus loves you and me so much he took on what we deserved so we could be treated like He deserves! Thank you, Jesus.
    Jesus cleansed us of our sins so we can be in right relationship with God – one of the reasons of our creation. Father God loves us so much.
    When we hold onto unforgiveness and bitterness to others it, in essence, cancels out what Jesus died for. It makes His sacrifice seem petty – when in fact His death is more powerful than any other act done in this world. Jesus death conquered hell and death so those who believe in Him will be free, fearless, cleansed of sin, shame, guilt and full of His light!
    Jesus forgave you and me of our sin resume’s. What right do you have to hold unforgiveness and bitterness towards another? Give it to Jesus because He paid it all.
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15
“If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” Luke 17:3-5
                                                            Steps towards forgiveness:

1. Confess your sin of unforgiveness to Jesus.
2. Pray to Jesus to reveal who you are harboring unforgiveness to.

    3.Declare forgiveness – out loud – of that person or persons. (Note: You don’t have to tell them you forgive them. Sometimes people don’t realize they offended you. This action is between you and Jesus.) Here is an example:  Father God I choose to forgive (insert name) for (what they did or didn’t do) because it made me feel (insert feelings). I give this to Jesus who paid it all. Thank you, Jesus.
    4.Release the debt, pain, hurt, shame and other feelings to Jesus. He took all that upon himself on the cross. Sometimes these thoughts and feelings may creep into your minds – every time release them to Jesus. Example: Thank you, Jesus for taking this pain and healing my hurts and wounds. Please bless them. In your name I pray, amen.
    5.Declare blessings over that person or persons. Yes, this is essential in the process. (see above prayer)
    6.Forgiveness is not forgetting or condoning what was done to you. Forgiveness is a crucial part of the healing process.
    7.Praise and worship Jesus! Give thanks to Him as you step into the beginnings of true freedom in Christ.Forgiving others starts to break ground of the enemy. It loosens the foothold of disobedience (unforgiveness is disobedience). Forgiveness is part of setting the captives free.
   You will feel lighter when you live in unforgiveness. You may start to hear from God better, be clearer in your thinking. Forgiveness is a crucial step to freedom in Christ.
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free…” Luke 4:18
   Thanks for reading the start of a pathway to freedom series! Forgiveness is one part of this awesome process. The time is now for kingdom living – the life Jesus died for! I love living in true freedom. Take what is available to those who are in Christ!  Love to hear comments! Please share, like, follow and forgive. Love ya!