Freedom through Forgiveness

Is there someone in your life who makes your blood boil? Does the mention of his or her name produce a stabbing pain in your gut? Has this person hurt you beyond what you think you can forgive?

You may have been in the right, and you may be deeply wounded, but refusing to forgive those who have hurt you leads only to personal bondage. The bondage of an unforgiving heart can make you feel powerless, hateful, angry, and bitter. It disconnects you from others.

God has called us to live in peace but it is impossible to cultivate peaceful relationships while harboring resentment for others. Forgiveness sets you free to pursue God's call of peace on your life.

To forgive the unforgivable we must follow Jesus' example. He modeled extraordinary forgiveness when He hung on the cross. In His hour of distress He said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).

If Jesus could forgive the hateful, malignant, and vicious hands that nailed Him to the cross, then we, by His Spirit, should be pray for the power to forgive those who have offended or even wronged us.

Jesus' plea from the cross teaches us that our sins are forgiven through Christ because of the divine will of God. We also see in His death how He forgave those who sent Him to the cross. Instead of seeking revenge, we must forgive as the Lord forgave us (Colossians 3:13).

This is the freedom Jesus secured on the cross — freedom from the wages of sin and the freedom to forgive others. As Galatians 5:1 tells us, "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."

Is your life filled with the peace and power of God or is it consumed with hatred, bitterness, and anger? Jesus is prepared to forgive you fully and to empower you to forgive others. You can walk in freedom today.

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Excerpted from My Journal, a monthly devotional magazine from Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef.

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About Leading The Way

Along with partners committed to changing the world, Dr. Michael Youssef is leading the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ. By passionately proclaiming uncompromising Truth through print, web, television, and radio, this international team of experts is uniquely providing hope that is revolutionizing lives at home — and around the world.

What began as a small local radio ministry in 1988 has grown into an international ministry reaching millions for Christ — including a vast audience in the Muslim world seeking Truth in closed countries. Leading The Way's television and radio programs are broadcast in more than 28 languages to audiences across six continents. Leading The Way also produces DVDs, CDs, books, a monthly devotional magazine, solar-powered Navigators, and daily e-devotionals to spread the light of Christ. In 2009, the ministry launched its own 24/7 satellite TV channel, reaching the Muslim world with Gospel programming in English, Arabic, French, and Indonesian. Leading The Way utilizes field teams to evangelize and disciple viewers in closed countries and help persecuted Christians on the ground.

Dr. Youssef and the Leading The Way staff are committed to sharing the Gospel with the lost and equipping believers to grow into a deeper walk with Christ. Learn how you can partner with this unique ministry today.

About Dr. Michael Youssef

Michael Youssef, Ph.D., is the Founder and President of Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef, a worldwide ministry that leads the way for people living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ through the creative use of media and field ministry teams. His weekly television programs and daily radio programs are broadcast more than 13,000 times per week in multiple languages throughout the world. He is also the founding pastor of The Church of The Apostles in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Youssef was born in Egypt and lived in Lebanon and Australia before coming to the United States. In 1984, he fulfilled a childhood dream of becoming an American citizen. Dr. Youssef holds degrees from Moore College in Sydney, Australia; Fuller Theological Seminary in California; and a Ph.D. in social anthropology from Emory University. He has authored more than 50 books, including popular titles Saving Christianity?, Hope for This Present Crisis, Life-Changing Prayers, and Never Give Up. He and his wife reside in Atlanta and have four grown children and 11 grandchildren.