FATHER has enabled us to walk on a Holy path known as the Highway of Holiness. It requires that we walk in full forgiveness toward those who victimized us in the past. We must let it go and move on.
Both Peter and Paul are examples of working against Jesus. Peter denied Him three times after spending over three years observing and participating in His ministry yet Jesus forgave Peter and included him in His forty day ministry after the ascension.
In Mark chapter 16 Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went to the tomb and encountered an angel, it is written by The Holy Spirit:
4 But when they arrived, they discovered that the very large stone that had sealed the tomb was already rolled away! 5 And as they stepped into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right, dressed in a long white robe. The women were startled and amazed. 6 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid. I know that you’re here looking for Jesus of Nazareth, Who was crucified. He isn’t here—He has risen victoriously! Look! See the place where they laid Him. 7 Run and tell His disciples, even Peter, that He is risen. He has gone ahead of you into Galilee and you will see Him there, just like He told you.”
Jesus had already forgiven Peter and the angel affirmed this forgiveness when he included Peter in being notified of the event. We are to walk in this same level of forgiveness especially now that spiritual warfare is raging against the “set apart ones” who are called to defeat the devil and his demons. We must not let unforgiveness be found among us without exception.
There are those who were abused in their childhood. They must forgive those who abused them and let FATHER impart righteous judgment on the abusers. Until those people are released from the devil’s “civil contract” with the victim, which is held together and enforced by unforgiveness, FATHER will defer their judgment. That “speck” in our eye is just enough to keep such an agreement in force.
Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 7:
7 “Refuse to be a critic full of bias toward others, and judgment will not be passed on you. 2 For you’ll be judged by the same standard that you’ve used to judge others. The measurement you use on them will be used on you. 3 Why would you focus on the flaw in someone else’s life and yet fail to notice the glaring flaws of your own? 4 How could you say to your friend, ‘Let me show you where you’re wrong,’ when you’re guilty of even more? 5 You’re being hypercritical and a hypocrite! First acknowledge your own ‘blind spots’ and deal with them, and then you’ll be capable of dealing with the ‘blind spot’ of your friend.”
In Luke chapter 6, Jesus provided additional revelation:
37 Jesus said, “Forsake the habit of criticizing and judging others, and then you will not be criticized and judged in return. Don’t look at others and pronounce them guilty, and you will not experience guilty accusations yourself. Forgive over and over and you will be forgiven over and over. 38 Give generously and generous gifts will be given back to you, shaken down to make room for more. Abundant gifts will pour out upon you with such an overflowing measure that it will run over the top! Your measurement of generosity becomes the measurement of your return.”
When there is unforgiveness, your good fruit is restricted in its flow. This Truth is often overlooked by those who are living in scarcity. When the dark spiritual forces have no cause against us, they are unable to keep us “incarcerated” and under their influence. Agape Love needs to prevail in all areas of our life so that we can walk on the Highway of Holiness in life and abundance, untouchable by the enemy.
No one can deny the level of forgiveness Jesus had for Paul (who was Saul). Officiating over the killing of believers is at the top of the list justifying unforgiveness. Yet Paul had a call on his life which was greater than his lawless actions. His destiny to write 2/3rds of the Epistles was decided before he was formed in the womb (Psalm 139:16). Jesus personally intervened to get Paul on the right track. In Acts chapter 9, Jesus appeared and spoke:
1 During those days, Saul, full of angry threats and rage, wanted to murder the disciples of the Lord Jesus. So he went to ask the high priest 2 and requested a letter of authorization he could take to the Jewish leaders in Damascus, requesting their cooperation in finding and arresting any who were followers of the Way. Saul wanted to capture all of the believers he found, both men and women, and drag them as prisoners back to Jerusalem. 3 So he obtained the authorization and left for Damascus.
Just outside the city, a brilliant light flashing from heaven suddenly exploded all around him. 4 Falling to the ground, he heard a booming voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
5–7 The men accompanying Saul were stunned and speechless, for they heard a heavenly voice but could see no one.
Saul replied, “Who are you, Lord?”
“I am Jesus, the Victorious, the One you are persecuting. Now, get up and go into the city, where you will be told what you are to do.”
Soon, Saul’s nature was changed and so was his name to Paul. No matter how great an enemy, Jesus can change his or her nature. We must not hinder this with unforgiveness, a primary tool of the devil. Paul went from promoting death to now promoting life and abundance. Let our destiny be fulfilled in this hour as well.