"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." - Colossians 3:13

Forgiveness is an intriguing thing. Often a times, we view it as a mark of something good that we do, beyond ourselves. An "extra mile" that we go for someone, being the nice guy that we don't have to be by extending our gracious arms to accept one's failings in a warm hug.

the secular view of forgiveness is reciprocal in nature. One where forgiveness is decided and extended to someone after he/she has made a mistake. One where forgiveness is about being gracious and accepting. More often than not, our forgiveness of others is the consequent of their expression of remorse or repentence. And truth be told, that we only extend our forgiveness if they admit and ask for our forgiveness.

Now, not only does God tell us that repentance isn’t the necessary prerequisite to forgiveness, repentence isn't at all what the heart of forgiveness is about.

The heart of forgiveness has to be that of love.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8

Even before we've committed sin, Christ has already forgiven us. Biblical forgiveness is one that is independent of circumstances, one that is about believing that the cross of Jesus Christ is a sufficient payment. it is not about what you've done, but what has been done for you. Christ has loved us so much, that even before we committed sin, His love has compelled Him to forgive us. That is the heart of forgiveness; the love for another. Forgiveness is not about merely having the grace to accept someone, but about one's capacity to love.

Forgiveness doesn’t start with the other person. It starts with you and God.

Matthew 19:21-22

The rich young man went home sad. Most of us go home satisfied. Satisfied with good. Satisfied with right.

remember how on birthdays we always go, "God, may you grow me in ___________ this coming year." and oh how we lament and whine when He answers our very prayers, as though to say, "God, what now? why me?".

"Sometimes God interprets our prayers in strange ways.
Sometimes you pray for something and God gives it to you, but the package doesn’t look like what you prayed for.

You prayed for humility. You got demoted.
You prayed for contentment in Christ. You stayed single longer than you wanted.
You prayed for the ability to love unconditionally. You married someone who was imperfect that made it possible.
You prayed for God to be enough. You were put in a bleak circumstance where He had to be.
You prayed for increased faith. You found yourself in a situation that required it.
You prayed for patience. You got people you find hard to love.

This might tempt you to not pray for these things at all. But that would be your loss. Not your gain. I love 2 Peter 1:8. Peter tells us that if we possess qualities like those above, “they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The package might not look like you thought it would. But it’s going to help you become the person you should.

Our best prayers are often the ones that the Holy Spirit interprets, filters, and presents to God in such a way that it gives us exactly what we need even if it’s not exactly what we want (Romans 8:27). Or gives us what we want in a way that we don’t want or couldn’t have imagined.

God’s packaging is precise. He’s been at the business of answering prayers for a long time and He knows what He’s doing.
Keep praying and trust that what you get is exactly what you need and asked for. Even if you didn’t know it at the time."

Blogged from Pastor Steven Furtick.

God's will doesn't have to be perfect to you to be perfect for you.(Jeremiah 29:11)

May my prayer like incense rise before You
The lifting of my hands a sacrifice
oh Lord Jesus turn Your eyes upon me
For I know there is mercy in Your sight

Your statutes are my heritage forever
My heart is set on keeping Your decrees
Please still my anxious urge toward rebellion
Let love keep my will upon its knees

To all creation I can see a limit
But Your commands are boundless and have none
So Your word is my joy and meditation
From the rising to the setting of the sun

All Your ways are loving and are faithful
Your road is narrow but Your burden light
Because You gladly lean to lead the humble
I shall gladly kneel to leave my pride

If my heart is overwhelmed and I cannot hear Your voice
I’ll hold on to what is true though I cannot see
If the storms of life they come and the road ahead gets steep
I will lift these hands in faith I will believe

When my heart is filled with hope and every promise comes my way
When I feel Your hands of grace rest upon me
Staying desperate for You God, Staying humbled at Your feet
I will lift these hands and praise I will believe

I remind myself of all that You’ve done
And the life I have because of Your Son