Unforgiveness

       Are you aware that over 80% of illnesses have a psychosomatic component to them?  We allow anger, bitterness, resentment, jealousy, envy, fear, unhealed memories, etc. to affect our spirits, minds, wills, and emotions in such a way that our body is also affected.  When we get sick, we pray for healing, we go to doctors to cure us, but often we cannot get well until the underlying cause is dealt with.
       One of the most important blocks to healing is unforgiveness.  It is a terrible testament to our Christian faith that we harbor unforgiveness towards those who have wronged us.  Jesus said that if we forgive those who have sinned against us, he will also forgive us, but if we don't fogive them he will not forgive us. (Matthew 6:12-15).  That's pretty clear, isn't it?  But how many people really believe this in a way that they put it into practice?  We justify our unforgiveness and resentments.  Jesus also said if anyone has anything against us, we are to leave our gift at the altar and go to them and reconcile with them. (Matthew 5:23-24) This means that even if we don't think we did anything wrong but someone felt wronged by us we must make it right.
      I am reading an excellent book entitled, Total Forgiveness by R.T. Kendall.  If you are serious about truly following Jesus by removing all unforgiveness in your life, I would highly recommend this book.
      In it R.T. says, "The most natural tendency in the world is to want to get even when someone has offended you.  It is as natural as eating or sleeping and it is instinctual.  Jesus is telling us to do something that is not natural but supernatural: totally forgiving people--sometimes those closest to us--for the wrongs they do to us.  I still struggle in this area myself.  But when I truly and totally forgive, I have crossed over into the supernatural--and have achieved an accomplishment equal to any miracle." (p. 74)
       I thought this was an amazing statement!  How many of us have wanted to operate in the supernatural?  Here is one way Jesus showed us we can do that!
      R.T. goes on to say, When Jesus said, "If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." He was not talking about how to achieve salvation.  He was referring to receiving the anointing of God and participating in an intimate relationship with the Father.  Unless we are walking in a state of forgiveness toward others, we cannot be in an intimate relationship with God.  Here's an even harder truth:  John says, "If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth." (1 John 1:6).  One way we walk in darkness is by holding bitterness in our hearts toward others--bitterness that creates confusion in our minds and oppression in our hearts.  You may say, "Oh but I am having fellowship with God."  No, you are not.  You just claim you are having fellowship with God if there is bitterness in your heart.  And if we claim to have fellowship with God but walk in darkness, we lie. (p. 75)
       This seems to make it pretty clear, doesn't it?  There is no way around it.  If we want to walk in the supernatural and have fellowship with God, we need to follow Paul's admonition in Ephesians 4:29-31:  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  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.