19 February 2025_IGNITE YOUR DAY: Cross-shaped Forgiveness -The Path to True Freedom

IGNITE YOUR DAY: Cross-shaped Forgiveness -The Path to True Freedom 

Our message today is Cross-Shaped Forgiveness: The Path to True Freedom.

Our guiding Scripture today is Ephesians 4:32:

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."

Understanding Cross-Shaped Forgiveness

Forgiveness is both difficult and powerful. Many struggle with letting go of past wounds, but the cross of Christ gives us the perfect model of true and lasting forgiveness. Cross-shaped forgiveness reflects Jesus’ sacrificial love and atonement, embodying both vertical and horizontal dimensions, mirroring the shape of the cross.

The Vertical Dimension: God’s Forgiveness Toward Us

The vertical beam symbolizes our relationship with God. Through Jesus' death and resurrection, we receive divine forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 2:13-14). God’s love is unconditional; His forgiveness is an act of grace, not something we earn.

God commands us to forgive as He has forgiven us. His love is the standard—not dependent on our actions but on His grace. We are forgiven not because we deserve it but because of His love. Therefore, we must extend forgiveness freely, not only when asked or when we feel it is deserved.

The Horizontal Dimension: Our Forgiveness Toward Others

The horizontal beam represents our relationship with people. Because we have been forgiven by God, we are commanded to extend forgiveness to others (Colossians 3:13, Matthew 6:14-15). Forgiveness is not optional for believers—it is a command with consequences. If we refuse to forgive, we close the door to God’s mercy.

Forgiving others reflects Christ’s love, brings healing, and fosters reconciliation. Unforgiveness acts as poison in our lives, affecting our physical and spiritual well-being. Studies have shown that many illnesses stem from an unforgiving spirit. As Dr. Chidi, a medical expert, noted, “You must forgive.” Forgiveness is medicine—essential for healing and wholeness.

Complete Healing Comes from Both Dimensions of Forgiveness

True healing requires both vertical (God’s forgiveness) and horizontal (forgiving others) dimensions. Without both, we cannot experience complete healing and freedom. Cross-shaped forgiveness leads to true freedom and peace.

What the Cross Teaches Us About Forgiveness

1. Forgiveness Starts with God (Vertical)Colossians 3:13 reminds us that forgiveness begins with God’s mercy. We cannot give what we have not received. Many struggle to forgive themselves, even after receiving God’s forgiveness. If God has forgiven us, why do we still carry guilt? His forgiveness is complete, and we must embrace it.

2. The Cross Calls Us to Forgive Others (Horizontal)Even when it is difficult, even when it feels undeserved, the cross invites us to forgive. True forgiveness does not mean condoning wrongdoing but choosing to release bitterness and allow God’s grace to work.

Conclusion

Forgiveness is a journey to healing and wholeness. By embracing both the vertical and horizontal dimensions, we live in the freedom Christ offers. As we reflect on the power of the cross, let us commit to extending the same mercy we have received, walking in true freedom and grace.