Richard Roberts – Second of two parts
We need to learn how to forgive. There are medical doctors who say that there are some sicknesses and diseases that can be traced to unforgiveness. Why? Because unforgiveness leads to bitterness, and bitterness causes you to turn inward on yourself. It can make you sick. So, learn how to forgive. Oh, it’s hard, especially when someone did you wrong and you are the innocent party.
I was once invited to be on a national television program and when I arrived, much to my amazement, there was a man there who I was so mad at! As I stood over in the corner looking at him, I was so angry! I thought I had a right to have unforgiveness in my heart because he had done me wrong.
The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart, however, and said, “Go over there and ask him to forgive you.” I questioned the Lord, but then I gathered my strength and walked over to him. He looked at me and smiled as if nothing had happened. I heard myself say to him, “My dear brother, I owe you an apology. I have been holding something against you, and God has shown me that I’m wrong. From the bottom of my heart, I ask you to forgive me.”
Big tears began to roll down this man’s face, and he said, “Richard, sometime ago, I said something about you that I have discovered is not true. I want to ask you to forgive me.”
We are great friends today because I got the unforgiveness out of my heart.
Unforgiveness will eat you alive. That is why God said in Romans 12:19, “Vengeance is mine. I will repay.” Only God can absorb the punishment that vengeance brings.