The Blessing of Forgiveness

A question I’m regularly asked is, “How do you know when you truly forgive?” That’s a great question. Is there a way to validate whether or not you’ve truly forgiven someone?  The answer is “Yes.” There is a clear and foolproof indicator that forgiveness has taken place. We call it “Sealing it with a Blessing.” You will know if you have forgiven someone when you’re willing to pray and/or give a blessing to the one who has wounded you.

My friend Connie recently asked me, “Bruce, a few years ago our son-in-law stole some money from us. We have proof that he did it but he’s never admitted it. I think I’ve forgiven him, but every time we’re in the same room together I’m really uncomfortable and so is he. Am I missing something?”

I thought for a moment and asked, “Have you blessed him? You know you have truly forgiven someone when you’re willing to bless them.”

“I’ve never thought of it that way. What do you suggest?”

I paused and prayed silently. I then sensed the Lord telling me to say, “Bless him in the area in which he violated you. Bless him financially.”

“I know exactly what to do. I’m going to give him $500 because that’s the amount he stole from us.”

I saw her a few days later and asked what happened. She told me that she gave her son-in-law $500 cash and told him that he couldn’t use it to pay bills but that she wanted him to use it on something for himself that he wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise. She told him she loved him and was sorry for the distance that she had allowed between them. I asked her how he responded. She said, “He just shrugged his shoulders, mumbled ‘thanks’ and walked away.”

“Did that hurt?” I asked.

“No, my heart was free. The Blessing was for me. I’m free whether he is or not.”

Blessing those who have wounded us is what seals the forgiveness and proves that we are free. It is the undeniable proof that we have laid down the desire for vengeance and have forgiven. Unforgiveness demands vengeance. Forgiveness desires blessing. Blessing honors God. God honors blessing.

AUTHOR QUOTE: Want to know if your forgiveness experience is true and permanent? Seal it with a blessing.

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you,” Matthew 5:44 KJV.

Today’s devotional is by Bruce Hebel, Pastor of ReGen Fellowship in Tyrone, Georgia, Adjunct Professor at Carver Bible College, and President of ReGenerating Life Ministries. He is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and has served in ministry for over 35 years.