Facing Forward

Since this is my first blog, I'll start with the blog site name, "Facing Forward".
Recently I've been learning to a greater degree about forgiveness.  Life itself greatly revolves around the truth of being forgiven and forgiving. 
God forgave all of us in Jesus Christ.  It is wonderful to know that God is not holding anything against you.  All judgment was applied to Jesus on the cross,  His death and ressurrection being God's acceptance of His sacrifice.  "..God was in Christ, reconcilling the world to Himself.." 2 Corinthians 5:19. That is Wonderful!
Where we get into trouble after that is being unforgiving to others.  In Matthew 18:23-35 Jesus told the story of a man who was forgiven a great debt by his master, but then went out and had someone thrown in debtors prison for owing him a few dollars.  When the master heard the story, he was angry.  He said,  "I forgave you that great debt, shouldn't you have forgiven as well!"  The Word says he then turned him over to the tormentors (in prison) until he paid back all.  Well, he could never have paid back all, not even in the beginning!
And so, unless we forgive because we have been forgiven, we are turned over to the tormentors.  (1) Tormentors of guilt, never really knowing inside that we are quite good enough, hiding our insecurities by pushing ourselves to do great things, but never feeling it's enough, running from God.  If we truly receive forgiveness, there is no debt for us to pay!  And when we continually forgive others, we continually live in the forgiveness of God in Jesus Christ.  That is facing forward, looking toward eternity with a smile!  Is it always easy?  Of course not.  But it is the only way to know that kind of joy, that kind of peace and love, which is freely given to all who will believe, receive and follow. 
Matthew 8:17 "He Himself took our infirmities.."
God's best to you!

(1) paraphrase in part from, Healing for Damaged Emotions, David A. Seamands (Chariot Victor Pub., 1991)