We were driving out of town when we began to talk about the Lord. My sister excitedly shared with me about a book she was reading by Jentezen Franklin. The book is called, Learning to Love Like You’ve Never Been Hurt.
The book sounded good; it caught my attention quickly. I had already decided to order it to read soon. As she continued talking about this book, she remembered a page that really spoke to her. SO much so that she had taken a picture of it and shared it with a friend. She then shared it with me. It was so good, I had to share it with you today.
The author said…
Jesus asked His heavenly Father to “forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
When Jesus uttered these words, His spirit was released. This happened right before He took His final breath and committed His spirit into His Fathers hands. Luke 23:46
Jesus spirit could only be released in the atmosphere of forgiveness…whenever you release forgiveness, you release the power of the Spirit of God.
When I read those words, it could only be released in the atmosphere of forgiveness, it jumped in my spirit. If it could only be released in an atmosphere of forgiveness, what else can be released in that same atmosphere?
If His spirit could not be released where unforgiveness was present, what else could be hindered by unforgiveness? Are there things in our life that are being postponed simply by holding unforgiveness in our heart?
That begs the question; If we choose to forgive, regardless of the offense, what wonderful things would be released?
The Bible says what we bind on earth is bound in heaven. Do you realize when you refuse to forgive someone you hold them in bondage, but not only them, you also hold yourself in that same bondage. 
You must release them by forgiving them completely, from your heart. In doing so, you release yourself as well.
I know that may be hard if the offense is great – but could it possibly be greater than it was for Jesus that day?
Colossians 3:13 says, Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Forgiveness is not an option; it is a command. Not only is it a command, but we are told to forgive as the Lord forgave us. Totally and completely. Remembering it no more.
If we choose to hold bitterness and unforgiveness, we are creating an atmosphere where God cannot work. We are creating an atmosphere where the power of God is restrained. An atmosphere where bondage is evident.
However, when we forgive, we create the same atmosphere Jesus did that day. An atmosphere filled with a release of the power of God. It will shake heaven. And it will triumph over the devil in our lives, just as it did for Jesus.
I don’t know about you, but this small portion of Jentezen’s book caused me to look in my heart and check it for any signs of unforgiveness. I do not want anything hindering the power of God from working in my life.
Whatever offense has taken place, I choose to forgive. I choose to forgive and release the offender, and myself. May we all release all those who have hurt or offended us. And may the power of God be released in our life as we cultivate an atmosphere of forgiveness.
