"Do you know that a great number of the problems in this world manifest themselves because of the burdensome weight of sin? Sin upon unconfessed sin is a ruthless task master. All other issues and actions are tainted, all perspectives are darkened when sin rules a heart. No relief from that heavy weight of sin causes relationships to crumble, nations to war, and eventual death to any form of mercy and grace, either received or given.

"Jesus died to relieve the world of the need to carry the weight of sin. Anyone who acknowledges Him and the work of the cross has a new life, a clean slate, and the prospect of a sinless future. With the freedom imparted when you are forgiven, there is also a wonderful power placed in you. It is the power to forgive those who sin against you. Those who have gone before you forgave those who laughed, as their children were eaten by mastiffs and lions. They forgave when their loved ones were crucified or impaled. They forgave those who took their lives - dying with unblemished hearts. They truly overcame the world and its love of sin. I require the same kind of forgiveness from you before you can become totally free.

"I see the foolishness of holding unforgiveness in your heart for the smallest violation of your precious ego. I see you burden others for the sin that you daily embrace. I see your life destroyed in exchange for your need to harbor and protect your right to hold someone's sin against him or her. You are not free because you will not free others from their offenses. You are foolish; you are deceived; you are in bondage to the world. If I held you accountable for all of your sin, you would not be able to bear up under its weight.

"I forgave you; now you forgive everyone. Start with those who sin against you now. Prepare to forgive those who might someday kill you."

Matt. 6:12, 14-15 AMP

12) And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven (left, remitted, and let go of the debts, and have given up resentment against) our debtors.

14) For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

15) But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.

I Cor. 13:5b AMP

Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

Col. 3:13 AMP

Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive].

I Pet. 4:8 AMP

Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others].

Merry and I once lived near a man who was totally crippled because of unforgiveness. To be with him was like standing next to a dark hole that sucked every joy from your entire being. There was no light in him.

If you should happen to be accepted by him for a season, it was just a matter of time before he separated himself from you because of some perceived injustice you had done to him. Once that happened, he then was a ruthless enemy to you and everyone you held dear. He held your offense against you forever with no hope of reprieve.

The fascinating thing is that at one time he was a smiling, happy person - very amiable and joyful to be around. He was well-liked and a friend to many. Upon investigation through talking to those who knew him, there seemed to be a specific time when he changed. It occurred whenever he was offended by someone, usually a family member. It made no difference whether or not the offense was real or simply something he perceived to be an offense.

Of course, there was no communication on his part to express how he felt, so most of the time the people around him wouldn't know of their offense until he stopped talking to them. To him, the offense was so great that he closed his heart to any kind of compassion toward others.

Every relationship then became an opportunity for him to repay the injustice done against him by holding that injustice over the other party. Now unforgiveness ruled his entire being. He was totally crippled in mind and daily becoming crippled in body. The weight of his sin - the habit of unforgiveness, now a way of life for him - was in fact causing him to deteriorate.

Unforgiveness in the hearts of His children is not tolerated by the Lord. He is a formidable foe to anyone who harbors it and does not want any of His children to hold onto it, because it causes separation from Him as well as others. If your life is out of order, examine the black pit of holding anyone's offense against you in your heart. Forgive, forgive, forgive. You will be set free, free, free!

Remember: If you will not forgive, you are standing in judgment. If you choose to forgive, you are extending mercy. The choice is yours. It is of eternal significance.

Needing desperately what I am required to give out!

Jim Corbett